THANKFULLY I have not suffered the murder of a loved one-although I have been the victim of crime.
I also deal with people who have committed and been convicted of crime. I have also dealt with those who have been acquitted. My experience is that there are many and varied reasons why someone commits an offence.
The current sentencing regime for murder prescribes three levels of sentence starting at 15 years, through to 30 years and then whole life and allows the families of a victim to express their views. A whole life sentence is an option for a judge, in certain circumstances.
Apart from that a judge can sentence a defendant who is deemed a danger to the public to a sentence for public protection – the defendant will only be released when he is judged no longer a threat to the public.
Unlike the relations of victims of crime or survivors of crime, most people who express an opinion on sentencing or on the police or on Probation or the courts have not attended at court to see how it operates or asked questions of the various agencies who prosecute and monitor convicted criminals. Informed comment is always more interesting to listen to than a rabid rant.
Attending court and viewing the system in process is the first step for anyone who wishes to express an opinion and be taken seriously. Victims' families have a voice.
Despite what some people say, my experience is that magistrates and Crown Court judges do what they can to ensure that criminals are convicted and punished in accordance with the guidelines set for them by the Sentencing Guidelines Council.
Our prisons are overflowing. "Front page" cures for criminal activity such as Anti-Social Behaviour Orders have failed to address the real issues. Parents are brought to book and made to pay for the criminal conduct of their children. There is a lack of support for those parents who lack parenting skills and expertise. Prison is not a soft option – all you have to do is visit one to see what life behind bars is really like.
The Labour Government has attempted to legislate its way through society's problems. It has created policy and launched initiatives in default of a proper analysis of the problems and in default of proper consultation as to real solutions.
The main force behind the Government's criminal justice policy is its perception of the "public's" perception of crime, policing, justice and sentencing.
Michael,
Emmerson's Solicitors

Healthy eating
ON May 28 and 29 the museum and Winter Gardens staff allowed us to hold a healthy eating and exercise for children event to highlight the escalating problem of child obesity. Obesity will be a huge problem in the coming years to the younger generation, with the dangers of heart problems, diabetes if this problem is not tackled.
The event was a huge success, a substantial amount of educational material on subjects such as taking regular exercise, eating fresh fruit and veg. Also over the two days we raised £159, which was a huge plus.
On behalf of the British Heart Foundation Sunderland Branch, a very big thank you to the staff and visitors to the museum and winter gardens for not only their support but for their generosity. We hope that we helped in some way in helping parents to educate their children in the importance of healthy eating and taking regular exercise in helping to look after your heart. We would like thank the museum staff for their help in staging this event.
Michael Roper,
Branch Secretary,
British Heart Foundation

Not open yet
RE the snippet in the Echo a few weeks ago about the Sunderland couple taking the Serendipity Tearooms over at Wolsingham.
We waited for a nice day and off we went. Could not find it anywhere. We asked a lady if she knew where it was. "It's over there," she said. When we looked the windows were covered and a painter was painting the door. No cuppa there then!
What a disappointment.
Could you please add "opening shortly" or the date they will be opening because we wouldn't be the only couple who will have made the trip.
ABS

It's outrageous
ON a visit to my GP I was asked to sign a petition protesting at the Government's plan to allow private companies to take over our local health care.
This is outrageous. Aneurin Bevan will be spinning in his grave.
I have long held the opinion that New Labour as a party had no right to use Labour in their title but this proves they are well to the right of Ghengis Khan.
All they are interested in is trying to disguise how much in debt we are in through their mismanagement and to provide opportunities for their capitalist cronies to milk the public.
Don't forget private companies have shareholders who demand profits which in turn means cost-cutting is the name of the game and guess who will bear the brunt?
J Jones,
Coxon Street,
Hendon,
Sunderland