Sarah Payne Murder gets 50years

hussey

the home sec in england - dav blunkett, said yesterday that roy whiting, will spend at least 50years behind bars.

Under new powers he has he is allowed to set a 'minimum jail term for murders'

I say fair play to him.

But it is being challenged in the house of lords.

What I want to know is there anyone out there who actually thinks this is inhuman? or that they would against this ruling?

Shinji

I think the sentence is fair enough; however, I don't believe David Blunkett, a politician, should have the right to set sentences in this way. It turns the judicial process into a political tool, which is wrong.

I don't have a problem with a child killer rotting for 50 years. But I'd prefer a system where that sentence was doled out on the basis of judicial guidelines, not because the Sun ran a lot of front page headlines.

DapperGent

Agreeing wholeheartedly with Shinji here. The issue isn't whether he deserves fifty years in prison, it's who's making that decision.

Sentences should be imposed by the courts not used by a home secretary to boost his popularity. The fact the that politcal power is there means it will be used to serve political ends rather justice.

Seraphina

if it wasn't such a big story he probably would have gotten about 8 or something stupid like that.

Biffa Bacon

50 years for murdering a child is far too lenient. Why can a life sentence not mean "until death"?
I do agree thought that politicians should have no role in deciding sentencing.

The Gopher

Biffa-The guy is in his mid 40s-it is highly unlikely he will finish his 50 year sentence.It is a life sentence in all but name.Even if he managed to survive the sentence so what?He wouldnt exactly be at an age where he could enjoy his freedom.Sentences like this are fairly common in the states,with drug traffickers and the like often getting 30-50 year plus sentences.Ironically most killers get out within a decade while some minor drug dealers serve 15 year mandatory terms.
And a 16 year old in California who killed two in a schhool shooting got 50 years.I know he did kill two people and all but 50 years is alot of your life to be gone,particularly if you are rehabillitated within maybe 10 years.Imagine spending 50 years of your life in jail from when you are a teenager to an old man.Its alot of things to miss out on.

krankykitty

Prison for life is too good for any person who does that to an innocent child.:mad: