"There is a general misunderstanding of life sentences. "
It's not the public 'misunderstanding' it's successive govts since the death penalty was abolished 'redefining' it. When the abolition of the death penalty was under discussion pro death penalty MPs and by default voters were told, virtually promised that capital offenders would be imprisoned for all their lives.
Many people feel betrayed in this aspect, and frankly it's a major factor that motivates people to want death sentences back!
"but claw surely cases like this suggest we need some kind of reform of the legal system?" Absolutely agree
"there's no room for them anymore and they would rather believe a man who has been imprisoned for that long must be rehabilitated - to make room for the man that killed a child only 2 weeks ago." If non violent offenders weren't in prison there'd be room for both bastards!
"What is the point of having a judiciary/legal system at all if we are then to trial by tabloid press?" Because no system is perfect and the press though biased in many ways does serve a purpose in exposing the faults in societies systems. Good journalists will always do that.
"He was discharged after starting a fire" interesting - there's believed to be a link between arson and rape/paedophilia.
Not much easy access to alcohol in prison either.
"It’s very easy to be kind and charitable when it’s other people who have to take the risks to facilitate it." Too bloody true!
"ah yes, we are the savages, not the nice man who violently killed three children." Indeed! Give me strength! Only one savage here. Not us.
"its not comparable to him being in the real world." Exactly
It's not just that he doesn't deserve release he is STILL a risk to children and I question the intellect of anyone who cannot see that.