Last year, SkyCity Auckland was involved in a controversial scandal that involved two parents leaving their five young children locked in a van while they played pokies. The father was convicted while the mother was discharged, but new developments could result in her also spending time in jail. In the Auckland District court, the woman’s lawyers claimed that a conviction would prevent her from pursuing a career as a social worker.
The judge understood that she was currently studying in that field, so he discharged her. Now, local authorities have discovered that the mother is not actually studying to be a social worker. Since the trial, she has not taken any steps to pursuing this career path. As such, they feel that she should be convicted. They are now appealing the decision in the High Court.
She could receive the same punishment as her husband, who is now in jail. However, she may receive a lesser sentence so that she can continue to care for her children. House arrest and community service are likely options.
“It is not a situation where she was about to complete a social worker's course that she had put time and energy into it,” says Crown Prosecutor Anna Longdill, who supports the authorities’ decision to appeal the case. “It's that she may want to do a course sometime in the future." Stricter punishment in this case may discourage other parents from indulging in similar behaviour.
Recent reports have found that there were nearly 100 cases of child abandonment at SkyCity last year, so it seems that the casino’s prevention methods are not working. Parents need to know that there are consequences for this type of behaviour, and a successful appeal will ensure that this is the case.
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