Punishing sex abuse cannot be a lottery

The outrageous inconsistency of judicial sentencing in sexual offence cases, particularly in a country where sex abuse is endemic, has again been underlined by the latest in a growing litany of shocking decisions by judges.

As highlighted by this newspaper, Judge Martin Nolan decided to free car dealer Aidan Farrington, who sexually abused two adult nieces on three separate occasions, because he believed the publication of his name would be punishment enough.

In justifying this extraordinary sentence, the judge argued that Farrington “will be rightfully held in public odium for what he has done”. Be that as it may, the perpetrator will be seen in the public mind as getting away with it because of the light sentence.