Courts need to get tough

There’s nothing winds the public up more than seeing criminals walk away with the proverbial slap on the wrist.

Soft sentencing leaves ordinary folk pulling their hair out.

In our community, however, there appears to have a welcome hardening of the hearts from our courts.

Today we reveal how a bogus window cleaner conned an 81-year-old woman out of £70.

What made this offence all the more appalling was hearing how he ‘pushed and shoved’ her leaving arms bruised.

The emotional effect of what must have been a terrifying ordeal is revealed in her words to the court.

She said: “This crime has had a horrible effect on me. I often sit and cry about things I never used to cry about.”

Mr Recorder Euan Duff didn’t hesitate in putting the offender behind bars.

A sentence of four years and eight months not only gives him plenty of time to dwell on his offending, but sends out a strong message to anyone thinking of taking advantage of our elderly.

There is a body of research which suggests that tougher prison sentences reduce crime.

What a pity then that not all magistrates and judges follow through on this when dealing with criminals.

Obviously every case is different and throwing every offender behind bars would create chaos, but as a deterrent, there’s is nothing more effective.

Yesterday we revealed how a firestarter in our community was given a life sentence for her third arson offence. Some felt that was too harsh.

If our community is to be protected from villains, its better sentencing is too hard than too soft.