Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

Sentencing

We have all been appalled at the vicious killing that took place on our doorstep some months ago, ending the life of a much loved father and respected local resident. Unfortunately the sentence that was handed down to the perpetrator late last week has not brought closure.

Forget the age of the culprit for one moment and consider the facts. She stabbed him in the neck late at night, with no known provocation or reason. It was not self-defence. She then spent two hours faking a break in before calling the police. She drummed up a cock and bull story about two young intruders, sending the local police into a frenzy of activity, all of it wasted. Fears that there were drug-crazed murderers on the loose ripped through our usually peaceful community. She sobbed her way through a TV press conference begging the culprits to come forward. It was all lies. To compound matters, she has not shown one ounce of remorse.

The sentence was two years in prison, of which she will serve twelve months, six months of them already served on remand.

Understandably, the family and many local people are upset, feeling strongly that justice has not been done. It was always going to be a very difficult sentence to impose, but the learned judge may have momentarily forgotten that every sentence is supposed to contain three elements: retribution, deterrence and protection. In this case I agree that she poses little or no threat to anybody else. But what about the punishment fitting the crime (retribution) and sending a signal to others who are minded to escape from a relationship that has become difficult, for whatever reason?

I do not want trial by media, but it is important to maintain public confidence. In cases like this, the law provides a potential remedy. We have the right to apply to the Attorney General to hold that the sentence was unduly lenient and for him to ask the Court of appeal to impose a tougher one. On behalf of the family I have done precisely that this week.

Some may ask, what good will it do to send an 81 year old woman to prison for longer? But that is not the right question.

We need to ask, does the punishment fit the crime?

It is now for the Attorney General to look again at this, dispassionately, to ensure that justice is done. What do you think? mail@garystreeter.co.uk

posted by Nigel on Sunday, March 21, 2004