Child rape sentence increases welcomed

The Northern Territory Opposition has welcomed a decision by the Court of Criminal Appeal to increase the sentences of two central Australian men found guilty of child rape. Earlier today Chief Justice Brian Martin increased the sentence of a man who sexually assaulted a seven-month-old girl at a community near Alice Springs. The 18-year-old's sentence was increased from four years in jail to nine years. The sentence of a man who digitally raped a two-year-old girl at Tennant Creek was increased from six years' jail to eight years. CLP leader Jodeen Carney says the longer sentences send an important message to potential child abusers. "You will go to jail and you will go to jail for a long time if you abuse babies and children," she said. "That is the message that violent Aboriginal men in the communities in the Northern Territory need to understand." .

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