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Original poster

Some thoughts on the Milly Dowler case and others.

29 replies

GothAnneGeddes · 01/07/2011 14:36

The more I think about this case, the more I think that the defence argument was more about fulfilling Levi Bellfield's sick fantasies then it was about providing a credible defence. I'm sure he really enjoyed watching her family suffer like that and that it was his intention all along.

Likewise, in the Vicky Hamilton case, even though prosecution evidence was water tight, the defence was still allowed to dredge up photos from her past and smear her reputation, to the great distress of her family, but probably to the delight of Peter Tobin, her murderer.

In the Sally Anne Bowman case, her murderer was allowed to use the ludicrous and sickening defence that he hadn't murdered her, but had found her dying and had sex with her. Again, I'm sure it thrilled her murderer to hear that described so graphically in court.

So even in death, women are denied their dignity and the legal system is more concerned with letting scum (can't think of a better term) further indulge their misogynist fantasies. Angry

OP posts:
UnhappyLizzie · 01/07/2011 20:10

I missed the programme but caught some stuff about the trial in the newspapers.

I agree with OP. People who've been victims of crime shouldn't be put through these ordeals when the accused has a right to silence. It's so wrong. Millie Dowler's parents have now the whole world knowing that they had hardcore bondage magazines and equipment in their house.

How did the world get to know about this, their private business?

  • because their daughter was murdered.

How wrong is it that this can happen in a court in a so-called civilised society?

Bellfield had no need to put her family through that, even without him being convicted of Millie's murder they were throwing away the key anyway. It was nothing to do with a reasonable defence to try to prevent him from losing his liberty, and everything to do with him being a sadist who enjoyed doing that to Millie's family.

Sorry but it is a feminist issue because the court system allows male sex offenders to get their rocks off again via tormenting their victims in court.

I can remember a ghastly case a few years ago where a young girl of about 14 was raped. She was forced to hold up the knickers she'd been wearing that day in court. They said 'little devil' on the front. He wasn't convicted, and she killed herself a couple of months later.

LilBB · 01/07/2011 19:55

I can't understand why he was allowed to rake up every piece of 'evidence' possible to try and put the blame on either the father or her running away yet his past can't be brought up? I don't understand our legal system sometimes. Surely past convictions should be mentioned if they are relevant or follow a similar pattern?

I watched a program about it last night. I was young when it happened, 15, so I don't really remember much about it or about the other women he murdered. I remember it going on but at 15 you don't really bother with the details. It was terrifying to see how he preyed on women alone at night and seeing the women he ran over was awful.

sprogger · 01/07/2011 18:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 01/07/2011 15:29

Anyone who dies in a violent way like the above mentioned are denied of their dignity, would it be male or female. Dennis Neilsen didnt give his victims any dignity either!!

The defence team are going to use any trick in the book to get their clients off - that is what they are paid to do again whether they are defending male or females.