[MargaretR]

I agree that he has been treated far too leniently. Whether we like it or not prison should not just be an attempted rehabilitation excercise. Our society and sense of natural justice requires an element of retribution and deterrant, which his treatment does not show.

BUT - I do agree that it would not be rational to deport him to Italy, where he has no family, and has not lived since early childhood. He is more likely to re-offend there, without (hopefully) guidance and support of his family. If we deported him, we would just be moving the problem of his behaviour and more than likely making it worse.