Huge challenge - Sex crimes case closed

THE septuagenarian singer Cliff Richard will be relieved that he will not face charges over claims he committed sex crimes because there is not enough evidence.

However, he might have preferred to have his name cleared in court because the allegations will follow him for the rest of his life.

He has not even been charged much less convicted yet some perceptions of him may have changed. That some of the allegations go back almost 60 years raises questions too.

Nevertheless, victims of sexual abuse must always feel confident that if they make allegations that they will be supported and listened to, that they will get a fair hearing. Our record in this regard is not one on which we can be entirely proud. However, this is a two-way street.

Making allegations of abuse is very serious and some innocent people have been falsely accused with disastrous consequences for them. Just as victims are entitled to their day in court, innocent people wrongly accused are entitled to their good name. Squaring this circle is a constant challenge for our justice system.