Is two years enough ?

[RebelSouls]

http://news.sky.com/s...s_Criticises_Sentence

[ummmm]

No it's not.

I did agree that because of his age when he committed that horrific crime he should have been given a second chance. As far as I'm concerned he blew it.

Possession of cocaine and a violent act that he was cautioned for is so far removed from child porn. He downloaded a clip of an 8 year old being raped. Regardless of who he is or what he had previously done....2 years is simply not enough.

And then there are the other 56 images to take into account.

I have a feeling that he will serve more than two years....he's on meltdown.

[New Judge]

The maximum sentence for the offence to which Venables pleaded guilty is five years. Below is an extract from the sentencing guidelines for the offence:

• Sentences up to the statutory maximum should be imposed when there is a contested case and there is evidence of commercial or large-scale exploitation and there is a significant amount of material, especially if the offender has previous convictions.


So it is unlikely that the judge considered that the maximum was warranted (there was, as far as I know, no evidence of commercial gain, and fifty-seven images is a small number when compared to some cases that come before the courts.

Since he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity he is entitled, by law, to one third off any sentence which would have been handed down had he been found guilty at trial, thus making the maximum available t the judge three years and four months.

The two years he received equates to a three year sentence before discount and I would suggest that, based on this case and bearing in mind his background, it might be a tad light, but not excessively so.

[Everhelpful]

Should have hung the 2 b@stards for original crime.!! Once a toe rag always a toe rag.!!

[New Judge]

You have certainly lived up to your name on this occasion, Everhelpful!

[joanne]

I just hope that the prisoners find out who he is and show him real justice,and the wardens turn a blind eye.

[ummmm]

Hang two 10 year olds....yeah, that's the answer.

[Hopkirk]

Since he has breached the conditions of his release surely he won't be let out again after his two years are up.

[sandyRoe]

Will he be eligible for early release if he agreed to be electronically tagged?

[ummmm]

I don't think he'll get out.

[Hopkirk]

I propose that as part of the new government's austerity measures we ban the expensive practice of creating new identities.

He can stay inside, or leave as John Venables.