[jambutty]

Originally Posted by katex

Of course Jambutty, and that is the way the law should operate. Just wondered what defence was put up here. Must have been particularly difficult to put up any kind. They surely must be completely off their trolley that's the only defence I can think of at this moment after reading that report ... heartbreaking case. Difficult to get the images out of your head of how this 3-year old must have suffered, isn't it.

I agree I just cannot imagine what sort of a defence was put forward, except possibly insanity.

Not being a learned lawyer I cannot see why the prosecution didn’t go for murder but I suppose that as the women pleaded guilty to manslaughter and the guy to child cruelty it was seen to be easier to get a conviction on those charges than to go for murder.

With the tariff for manslaughter and child cruelty being less than the one for murder the judge’s hands were tied. I suspect that they got the maximum allowed in law.

It makes you wonder how Ronald Biggs got 30 years just for robbing a mail train and GBH to the driver. But it was a Royal Mail train and thus the crime was against the crown and the public had to shown that you cross the monarchy at your peril.

At least the little girl is not suffering any more.