Protecting victims - Convicted, but free

IT is outrageous that a person convicted of serious crimes against the person should be released on bail while awaiting sentencing.

Yet that is what happened this week when a person was convicted of abusing a child. How is the victim and their family supposed to react to this farce? A person is convicted of the most serious behaviour, yet is set free until a sentence can be imposed. What would be wrong with taking this abuser into custody while the court came to a decision? After all, they have been convicted and must face the consequences.

Already this week we have seen a judge vent his frustration at not being able to impose what he considered a fair and appropriate sentence on a serial rapist. This was not done lightly, and it is worrying that the system is such that a respected member of the judiciary feels so constrained.