Just short of murder?

Many people were shocked at the news that a teenager, in fact aged 16, who had been found guilty of raping a seven year old boy had been sentenced to a three year community order and within eight days proceeded to rape a five year old.

It was revealed that the offender has Asperger's syndrome, and deserves some sympathy. Having said that, he also had a history of sexual assault. Once again, the victim and the community have been valued less than the offender, however.

The decision to give a non-custodial sentence by Judge Adrian Smith surprised both the police and legal authorities. Given that the offence is little short of murder, in some ways equally as devastating in its long term effects on victim and family. A community sentence which gave freedom to re-offend, was arguably not in the best interest of the offender either.

Prison authorities, in making judgement on parole applications, frequently make mistakes which result in appalling consequences. It is very difficult to predict how the offender may behave in all sorts of situations which may confront him, so they have our sympathy in an impossible task.

Surely here, however, a period for medical reports on a criminal might have helped. Could the prosecution not have made an appeal?

As things stand, in most people's eyes, the judge made a terrible blunder. Apart from to his conscience, is there no way he is answerable? Doctor's can be struck off for mistakes, and similarly other professions. Why not judges, by a panel of other judges if we are worried about political or democratic interference? Could he not be demoted, to less serious cases, or placed on probation?