Latest fromAssault and Homicide
'Cowardly attack' left toddler like stroke victim
Relatives of a 22-month-old girl shaken and dropped when she would not stop crying are upset at her attacker's sentence.
Mercy killings undertaken by two mums, only one goes to jail
Both are loving mothers, who after years of devoted care to their disabled children felt they had no choice but to take the law into their own hands but while one was allowed to walk free from court yesterday the other will go to jail.
Victim 'dragged down by his lifestyle'
When Dean Browne's former girlfriend heard he had been murdered and dumped in a New Plymouth garage, she knew his lifestyle had finally caught up with him.
Man who twisted cat's head off in front of family jailed
A man who tore the head off a kitten in front of his family has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison.
Third man arrested over body in garage
Armed police have arrested the third man they had been hunting in connection with the slaying of a man whose body was found in in New Plymouth.
Pressure grows in Britain for publication of 'torture boys' report
In the United Kingdom, calls are growing by opposition politicians and the public that the full report of the review of the case of two brothers who savagely attacked a pair of boys in Edlington, South Yorkshire, should be made public.
Police identify body found in garage
Police have identified the man who was apparently killed and his body dumped in a New Plymouth garage.
Murder inquiry after body found in garage
Police have been unable to identify the body of a man found in a New Plymouth garage last night.
Worst killers not covered under three strikes law
A proposed three strikes law would have done nothing to prevent some of New Zealand's most notorious killings, critics say.
Killer stole the love of my life, says grieving partner
Diane Elizabeth White died of head injuries after she was allegedly attacked by her neighbour on a suburban Hamilton street.
Collins surprised at union's response to 'three-strikes' law
Judith Collins has criticised the prison guards' union for suggesting the Government's 'three-strike' policy would put guards at risk.
Neighbours: Police knew of pair's rows
Neighbours of a murdered Hamilton woman say authorities knew of tensions between her and her alleged killer, and should have acted sooner.
Inquiry into police handling of 111 call before patient's death
The handling of a 111 emergency call made to police shortly before a woman was found dead in her home is being referred to the Independent Police Complaints Authority.
Pleas for police before killing
A woman twice called a mental health centre for help when one of its patients came to her home, before the patient returned with blood on her face.
Former All Black 'distressed' over sex allegation - lawyers
Lawyers for a former All Black lock, who is facing accusations from a teenage girl of sexual assault, say he is distressed by the situation but can't comment until an investigation is over.
Three strikes law may see early releases - criminologist
Preventive detention will be retained as a sentencing option for judges under the Government's proposed "three strikes" legislation, Police Minister Judith Collins said today.