NSW: Court rejects appeal of "lenient" sentence for cop attack

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2006
NSW: Court rejects appeal of "lenient" sentence for cop attack

A New South Wales court has upheld a minimum two-and-a-half year sentence .. for a
woman who blinded an off-duty policewoman in one eye during a nightclub attack.

The crown had appealed TYNEAL JENKINS' maximum five-year jail term .. for the October
2004 attack on the policewoman at a north-west Sydney nightclub .. claiming it was manifestly
inadequate.

The offence carries a maximum 25 years' jail.

Despite labelling the jail term as very lenient .. the Court of Criminal Appeal has
upheld the sentence .. saying it won't intervene.

The 21-year-old assaulted 28-year-old BROOK CLINGAN at the Castle Hill Tavern in October 2004.







JENKINS had become enraged at Ms CLINGAN when she laughed at the way her boyfriend was dancing.

She tipped a schooner of water in Ms CLINGAN's face and then smashed the empty glass
into her eye.

In April she was found guilty of maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.

Since the assault .. Ms CLINGAN has undergone seven operations for a detached retina
.. but is still blind in her right eye.

In his judgment today .. Justice CLIFTON HOEBEN said it's unlikely she'll be able to
return to active police service.

But Justice HOEBEN says he won't change the sentence .. as he's satisfied it's still
within the range of sentences open for the charge.

Justice HOEBEN's decision was supported by Justices CAROLYN SIMPSON and GRAHAM BARR.

AAP RTV lma/was/tm/rt

KEYWORD: JENKINS (SYDNEY)

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