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Christchurch Terror Attack Gunman Sentenced To Life In Prison Without Parole

Christchurch Terror Attack Gunman Sentenced To Life In Prison Without Parole

It's the first time such a sentence has been handed down in New Zealand.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Brenton Tarrant, the man who carried out the deadly Christchurch terror attack last year, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

He pleaded guilty to 51 charges of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one of engaging in a terrorist act laid under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002.

It's the first time such a sentence has been handed down in New Zealand.

During his sentencing, Justice Cameron Mander ordered Tarrant never be released from the maximum-security Auckland Prison in Paremoremo.

PA

Justice Mander said: "Having given the matter much consideration, I am satisfied that no minimum period of imprisonment would be sufficient to satisfy the legitimate need to hold you to account for the harm you have done the community.

"I have concluded there is no minimum term of imprisonment available to me that would not otherwise equate to a whole-of-life sentence."

During submissions, Crown prosecutor Mark Zarifeh argued that a lifetime behind bars without the possibility of release was necessary because the 'enormity of the offending in this case is without comparison in New Zealand's criminal history'.

The Australian 29-year-old admitted to storming Al Noor and Linwood mosques on March 15 last year and unloading a shower of bullets on worshippers.

PA

He had a GoPro attached to his person and live-streamed the whole attack, which ended up becoming New Zealand's worst mass shooting in history.

Tarrant initially pleaded not guilty, however changed his plea and announced he would represent himself.

Justice Mander sentenced him to life imprisonment the 51 murders, concurrent terms of 12 years for the 40 counts of attempted murder charges, and life imprisonment for the terrorism charge.

Standby counsel Phillip Hall, who acted for Tarrant, said he had only been given one instruction.

Mr Hall said: "That instruction is that Mr Tarrant does not oppose the application that he should be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole on the convictions where that is open to the court."

There were more than 200 victim impact statements read out during the hearing. Many explained how they haven't been the same since the events of March 15 and how Tarrant's actions and racist rhetoric has inexplicably changed people's lives.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News