Jail terms in Moko case put to appeal

Both killers of a Taupo 3-year-old have appealed against their sentences.

David Haerewa and partner Tania Shailer lodged separate appeals last week.

Shailer’s lawyer, Ron Mansfield, said the appeal was based on the ‘‘manifestly excessive’’ sentence length handed out to his client. Haerewa and Shailer pleaded guilty to Moko Rangitoheriri’s manslaughter and were sentenced to 17 years in prison in June.

It is thought to be the longest prison term for a manslaughter charge. Moko’s death was caused by the systematic torture unleashed on him by Shailer, and her partner, Haerewa.

Moko was kicked, thrown, dropped face first on the floor, bitten, stomped on, had faeces rubbed on his face and was denied medical care.

The abuse came to light on August 10, 2015, when Shailer called for an ambulance after Moko became unresponsive. He died hours later. Haerewa and Shailer supported each other’s attacks on Moko and the ‘‘culture of violence’’ that occurred within the home, the summary of facts said.

Mansfield said Shailer’s sentence ‘‘was too high given her personal mitigating factors and when compared with other sentences imposed in similar cases’’.

Among the mitigating factors were Shailer’s guilty plea, her mental health and the fact that she had no previous convictions, he said. ‘‘And there were genuine displays of remorse and acknowledgement from the harm caused.’’

Mansfield said his client had no relevant previous convictions and ‘‘otherwise positive characteristics as a mother and caregiver’’. ‘‘The main factor behind her offending was her very poor mental health and the extraordinary stress she was placed under,’’ he said.

‘‘I’m not suggesting that justifies what’s happening, it simply reduces her culpability.

‘‘You need to understand her health issues at the time to make a proper assessment.’’

A date is yet to be set for both appeal hearings.