I'm sure that anyone who has heard about the recent case of the paedophile Craig Sweeney has been disturbed by it.
The story of how he abducted and sexually assaulted a three-year-old girl from Cardiff is horrific.
It's hard to imagine the distress and trauma that this has caused both the young firl and her family and our hearts go out to them.
Last week, after the sentencing of Sweeney, a row erupted in the House of Commons about the sentencing of dangerous criminals.
Sweeney was sentenced to life imprisonment, but because he pleaded guilty, he received a reduction in sentence, which means that he could be eligible for parole in six years.
This wouldn't mean that he would actually get parole - indeed, it is very unlikely that he would - but just the possibility of it seems appalling.
It horrifies most of us to think of this man being out of prison in such a short time and for this reason, I raised this issue with the Prime Minister at Prime Minister's Questions last Wednesday.
Even though I knew the Prime Minister couldn't comment on the specific case, I asked him to give a reassurance that the Sentencing Guideliness Council (which recommends sentences) should, in its current review, make sure that criminals who are considered the most dangerous are not automatically given a reduction in sentence because they plead guilty.
This reduction for a guilty plea was part of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and was, ironically, actually designed to help victims of crime. A guilty plea usually reduces the time between a charge and a verdict and sentencing and spares victims and their families the upset and trauma of long, drawn-out trials.
For offenders who are not dangerous, this system is good for the victims.
Unfortunately, the distress of the family involved in the Sweeney case has been dragged out because of the sentence handed down and this seems unacceptable.
There should be safeguards to ensure that paedophiles like this are given a reduction in sentence automatically.
This is just common sense.
We must protect everyone in our society from crime, but the most vulnerable among us most of all.
When it comes to sentencing, we must put the safety of our children first. |
