SENTENCING WHICH BRINGS COURT INTO DISREPUTE

I make no apology that the last two posts here have been about short custodial and suspended sentences and that this is another.  My underlying theme and main concern is that our masters, in their attempts to convince us that most offenders will respond to the myriad rehabilitative programmes that are offered by a demoralised and failing probation service the efficiency of which has been decimated by the Ministry of Justice, have failed us. The result of the public`s increasing lack of confidence in sentences which are simply inadequate for the crimes committed will be a lack of confidence in the justice system per se.  In light of the disquiet on so many aspects of the Brexit shambles this would be another nail, small but effective, in our overall democratic system of government.  Such sentencing decisions are taking place every day in every court in the country. I can only offer a few examples as they appear in front of me. This is another example of what I consider a complete disregard for public protection and is a further instance of the courts being brought into disrepute.