Sentences must be seen to fit the crime

Sentences must be seen to fit a crime, both for a victim’s family and society, writes John O’Keeffe

MURDER is the most horrific of crimes as it leaves families of victims with a life sentence.

Besides having to deal with the immediate bereavement, the trauma of the crime continues for families who have to go through a court process, reminders about their loss on family and social occasions and the release of the offender. Throughout each of these stages, families are forced to relive these emotions, which take their toll.