New Zealand Christchurch Terror Attacks
2 minutes ago
Christchurch mosque attacks: Terrorist sentenced to life in jail without parole
The man who carried out the mosque attacks in Christchurch on 15 March 2019 has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of ever leaving jail.
Justice Cameron Mander, Wednesday 2 March.
Justice Mander has presided over the four-day sentencing hearing for the mosque gunman. Photo: POOL
Australian Brenton Tarrant, 29, had earlier admitted 51 charges of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one charge of terrorism.
Justice Cameron Mander this afternoon imposed the sentence - the harshest available to the court.
It marks the first time a convicted person has ever been imprisoned with no possibility of parole.
Tarrant murdered 51 worshippers at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre on 15 March last year.
He also shot and injured 40 more in an attempt to murder them.
Tarrant was also sentenced to life imprisonment on one count of engaging in a terrorist act.
It marked the first time anyone was sentenced for offending under the Terrorism Suppression Act.
The terrorist did not oppose being jailed without the possibility of parole.
A packed public gallery and seven other courtrooms filled with victims, their families and supporters watched as the sentence was handed down.
They shared hugs and tears after court was adjourned.
Before handing down the sentence, Justice Cameron Mander read through the names of the murder victims, relaying details of their lives and the shattered families they left behind to the terrorist.
He then detailed the injuries of the 40 survivors of the attack.
The survivors had to endure long-lasting and deep-seated trauma as a result of the attack, Justice Mander said.
"The mosques were places of sanctuary, this country too … was also seen as a place of refuge and safety by many of those you targeted," he said.
"I have no doubt you came to New Zealand and targeted its Muslim community for that very reason."
The attack was inhuman, the judge said.
"You showed no mercy.
"You ignored the pleas of the wounded to be spared. You advanced on them, stood over them and shot them."
The terrorist was motivated by a "base hatred of people perceived to be different from yourself".
"It is not apparent that you are genuinely remorseful for your actions apart from the circumstances in which you now find yourself," Justice Mander said.
The terrorist's hateful ideology was anathema to the values of New Zealand's society.
"It has no place here. It has no place anywhere," the judge said.
Tim Brown, in Christchurch
tim.brown@rnz.co.nz
Warning - This story discusses details of the 15 March Christchurch mosque shootings.
The man who carried out the mosque attacks in Christchurch on 15 March 2019 has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of ever leaving jail. . .
>https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/424583/christchurch-mosque-attacks-terrorist-sentenced-to-life-in-jail-without-parole