Robert Howard case - Valuable lessons to be learned

THOUGH an extreme case by any measure, that of serial offender Robert Howard, convicted of murder and rape, holds valuable lessons for all those agencies involved directly, or indirectly, in the criminal justice system.

Of particular interest to those in this country who want mandatory sentencing introduced, and those worried that the punishment should be seen to fit the crime, Howard is a textbook study.

Because of the prevailing laws which prevented previous convictions from being released, some of his evil deeds may have gone unpunished by juries. His life of criminality was largely unknown until a ban on reporting was lifted this week after outstanding sex charges against Howard were dropped at Belfast Crown Court.