If they had to watch their mum stroke the head of their brother while his life support is turned off... well, maybe they would keep people in jail a little longer
– Lynn Harrison reveals how justice system failed her family not once but twice
A victim of Scotland’s justice system has revealed how her family has been failed not once, but twice.
Lynn Harrison endured the loss of her brother after a violent attack while an elderly aunt was robbed of £43,600 of her life savings by a carer.
In both cases, the criminals were freed after just six months.
Last week, Lynn met Justice Secretary Michael Matheson to discuss her family’s ordeal and how the early release of offenders has only added to their grief and outrage.
Lynn, an executive PA with an office equipment firm, said: “It is hard enough to cope with crime committed against a loved one. However, when our judicial system pours salt on the wound by releasing criminals after only months, it makes it so much worse.”
Lynn, from Prestonpans, East Lothian, lost brother Laurie Wallace when he died after his jaw was smashed by an attacker.
The former shop manager passed away after a single punch to the head led to a cardiac arrest. Grandad Laurie, 60, from Kirkcaldy, was punched by Grant Gay outside a pub in the town.
Laurie’s jaw was smashed and his head injured. He died four days later in hospital when his life support machine had to be switched off.
Former football coach Gay was convicted on a charge of assault to severe injury and jailed for two years.
A charge of culpable homicide was dropped.
Lynn was stunned to discover Gay, 43, served only six months of his sentence and was released two weeks ago.
She said: “It is a ludicrous sentence for causing a man’s death. It makes a mockery of the Scottish justice system.
“If people who make these decisions could ever imagine what it is like to watch your 86-year-old mum stroke your brother’s head as his life support is switched off, they might consider the impact of their decisions on victims’ families.”
Previously her aunt, Betty Lynch, 78, of Musselburgh, was robbed of her life savings by a callous carer. Thief Margo Alongi, 54, accessed the disabled pensioner’s bank account and withdrew £43,600.
She was given a two-year jail sentence last November but was also released after serving just six months.
Lynn said: “This is what passes for justice in Scotland 2017. I know I speak for others who see their loved one’s killers set free early.”
She says victims’ families are given the chance to provide written representation to stop criminals being released early. “But this is only a box-ticking exercise,” said Lynn. “My experience has shown this makes little or no difference to the decision to release.”
After meeting the Justice minister, Lynn said: “Mr Matheson sympathised with my experience.
“He outlined some of the Government’s plans for making improvements to victims’ experience with the court process.”
A Scottish Prison Service spokeswoman said: “Offenders sentenced to less than four years have the right to apply to be released after serving a minimum of one quarter of their sentence.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Cabinet Secretary appreciated the opportunity to meet Lynn Harrison.
“Meetings like this help inform and reinforce the need for the wide range of work we are taking forward to support victims.”