ACT says get tough agains criminals

The ACT Party says we need to be tougher on criminals like Liam Reid. The 36-year-old has been convicted in Christchurch of raping and murdering deaf woman Emma Agnew.

While awaiting trial for rape and attempted murder charges in 2002, on which he was acquitted, Reid committed an act of aggravated assault. The judge referred to his extensive list of previous offending, including violence, and sentenced him to 27 months in prison.

ACT spokesman David Garrett says under its policy Reid would have served three years if he had one previous violent conviction, or 25 years to life if he had two.