Letters to the Editor
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It sound terrible...
It sounds terrible, it really does, but judges do not have an easy job.
BBC reports that doctors who examined the girl thought she was in her mid teens. The age of consent in the UK is 16, so saying she looked 16 means saying she looked legal. Girls from some ethic groups mature quicker than others, and tall, big girls can look much older than you would think.
As the girl was in the care of the local authority, there is a distinct possibility that she was displaying delinquent behavior prior to these events. In any case she was apparently a willing participant and for all we know may have solicited the sex in exchange for cash or drugs.
When I worked on Juvenile Justice (in the U.S.) we had female youth under 16 who gave histories of dozens or scores of adult sex partners, usually in exchange for drugs, but I never knew of a case in which a sexual partner had been prosecuted.
This case has been referred to the Attorney General in the UK for consideration as to whether the sentence is adequate. The guy has already spent many months locked up. Maybe he ought to get more time, but is he a danger to the public? Is he likely to do it again?
Who would be a judge?