The ordeal suffered by a disabled women and described by S Nielsen were no doubt horrific. However, it is extremely unfair to criticise Judge Mitchell's behaviour. Judges are not here to give their personal opinion of cases (facts speak for themselves) but to apply the law.
How seriously Judge Mitchell personally judged the offences is irrelevant; in sentencing he was following the guidelines issued by the Court of Appeal and Parliament and had limited discretion.
Anyone objecting to the type and length of sentencing for particular offences should write to their MP or to the Home Secretary, John Reid This would be infinitely more appropriate and productive than criticising the judges for matters out of their reach, which is as absurd as criticising doctors for not prescribing drugs the NHS has decided not to offer.
A Milton Wandsworth
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