what the hell?

[lou 26]

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1208548,00.html

Im lost for words! its soo awful

[Philtaz]

The only proper sentence for these two sub human vermin is to be shot through the back of the head, dropping smartly into a shallow ditch. And yes, if anyone is looking for an executioner I'm more than happy to carry out the sentence.

[PatriciaH]

They should be severly punished for this sick act, words fail me.........

[lou 26]

ill help you philtaz, its upset me to the core,

[jno]

they are being severely punished, and I don't imagine their time in jail will be happy. It's possible, none the less, that the baby may be unscathed - who remembers what happened to them at that age? Not me.

[lynneuk74]

jno - I believe that these people need severe psychiatric help. Not saying they shouldn't be punished but you've got to be mentally screwed up to do such a thing.

And - regardless of psychological damage - what about physical damage. Obviously that is not natural so I dread to think what harm they could have done the child physically - and it doesn't say whether it is a baby girl or boy (although I tended to assume a girl). I read about a baby girl in Africa who was raped and who was basically torn apart internally - in that country they believe having sex with a baby will cure them of AIDS!!!!

Totally sick. And a terrible decision for the Mother - not sure what I'd do in such an awful situation. Guess it depends on whether any physical damage will be lasting (the judge said the baby was 'reasonably well' which could mean anything).

Poor woman and poor child

[don1]

Anyone who thinks that sentences of twelve and five years for raping a 3 month old baby is severe punishment is quite clearly a paedophile himself and sympathises with other paedophiles.

[stevie_c2it]

Don I realise passions are running high on this one, but that comment is way over the line, I think you should withdraw it and apologise. You can't accuse people of things like that, just because you don't like what they have to say.

[libertie]

Hard to find the words to express my disgust and sometimes even I struggle to defend my stance against capital punishment!!

And while I hate to jump on the bandwagon I agree entirely with stevie_c2it!

[Oneeyedvic]

And once again it is shown that a sensible debate cannot be held regarding paedophilia.

Lynneuk - I am also sure that not everyone in 'that country' [sic] believes that having sex with a baby will cure them of aids.

[andy-hughes]

I think don 1 has fired off an instant emotional response, and on reflection, I hope he will withdraw it.

It is impossible to try and rationalise such behaviour, but laws are what make us civilised, and the law must take its course in this case, as in all others. Thankfully, such incidents are rare, and we can only hug our children a little tighter, and thank whomever that it is not our child who has had to suffer in this way.

[flip-flop]

Yes, was OTT, but even so, describing these sentences as severe is ridiculous, and then to add insult to injury he suggests the baby may be unscathed!!!! Oh, that's all right then.................

Unbelievable.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

they should be shot, lets hope they get what they deserve from the other prisoners.

[Dolly1308]

I do wonder about people at times .

[jno]

surprised to learn from don1 that I am a paedophile; hope I don't get him on my jury. The man was sentenced to life in jail; whether a minimum 12 years is the same as life is another matter, but in essence he's got the same sentence as if he'd killed the baby. And 12 years itself seems a long time - think of all you've done since 1994.

[jno]

PS - lynne - I entirely agree about psychiatric treatment.

[brionon]

For breath-taking stupidity the spokeswomen for the local council said that people should only leave their children with people they trust. Oh and I was just about to leave my Kids with someone I don't trust, thanks for the warning . Dope.

[don1]

The paedophile remark was said in disgust and anger and I apologise unreservedly for having said it.

However in the cold light of day I think these two should be locked up for the remainder of their natural lives.

[brachiopod]

Why is the spokeswomen's [sic] comment 'breath-takingly stupid'?

Many people have little choice over child care other than leaving with a member of family, be they a 'close' member, part of the extended family, a step parent, partner or boyfriend. Knowing or being related to a person is not the same as trusting them. However for many, there is little real choice as to who they leave their kids with.

And of course, fathers, uncles, step-parents never abuse their children / charges, do they? It's always complete strangers.

[Drusilla]

I don't think any western society has developed a satisfactory way of dealing with paedophiles and it's time the matter was addressed properly.
Psychological treatments only work if the patient is willing to change, but how many paedophiles want to change their sexuality? Can our society over ride human rights legislation and enforce chemical castration?
Prison is a way of keeping people off the streets, but paedophile crimes are crimes everyone knows will be repeated on release, unlike murder for example, so does locking someone up for a few years truly deal with the problem.
We need a third way and a lot of serious thought needs to go into this. A civilization can be judged on its treatment of the vulnerable groups within it. Children are a vulnerable group and are not being best served by a system that would prefer to ignore, or underestimate the long term physical and psychological damage caused by paedophiles.
I don't know the answers yet and I don't think any of us will until this serious debate takes place and soon.

[lynneuk74]

oneeyedvic - I obviously don't think everyone in 'that country' believes that kind of thing.

I put it like that because I can't remember which part of Africa it was - and didn't want to incorrectly quote. I was just trying to say that there was a kind of 'myth' circulating in certain societies that raping a baby is a cure for AIDS. Of course, most people are sensible enough to realise that this is not true but obviously some are not.

I was only trying to say that, as we have no such 'myths' in the UK then that is unlikely to be an excuse.