forgive me if this has been done, but I found this particularly upsetting on last nights news re the J.Witness elder

[ELF1981]

Sorry if you haven't heard this, I haven't seen it on mumsnet but I was outraged at this...

How does a Judge explain letting a man escape a prision sentence for child abuse just because "he pleaded guilty" and because of "his religious background"?

So, I could hurt a child, but its okay so long as I have religion and admit that I did it?

Please tell me this isn't common...

Surely this ridiculous, disgraceful judgement will be overturned. His poor sister, who from the tone of the report had helped the victims and their families get the case to court, was clearly appalled on the TV news last night.
Personally, I think a person who uses the community of a church to abuse children should receive a longer custodial sentence if anything. It is the ultimate betrayal of innocence, by a professed Christian too
This news really shocked me.

unfortunately as we'll always see injustice in this world, it means we'll have to keep eagle eyes on our children

This is on our local news quite a bit atm

His own sister has been on the news saying his "sentence" is a joke. She said he hasn't lost anything - his wife is standing by him, his religion is standing by him, he can return to his home, even after committing 14 years of systematic abuse to innocent boys.

Absolutely fucking disgusting.

It's because he's a "changed man" and bceuase he's had thwerapy. How can somebody be "cured" of paedophila???

His sentence is absolutley shocking but so is the fact that his wife is supporting him. How could you share a home with him???

FFS. I despair, I really utterly despair.

Absolutely, LaDiDa.

I couldn;t stay with DP if it was him who had done those despicable things.

You get the same news as us don't you IGW?, HTV west (our TV refuses to believe we moved house LOL, and its not as if we're far away)

Bad enough his religion is supporting him, he actually targeted the children of his fellow Witnesses [shcok], using his postion of trust as a Leader to take them on holiday.

I consider myself a forgiving person, but I could never attend a Church / meeting group / any other gathering that welcomed his return after abusing the faith so terribly.

Apparently raising an appeal will be ahrd but theya re trying.

I read today that his church said that he would still do his duties as JV, including door to door visits......

.....He would get more than a polite 'no thanks' at most doors I would imagine.

How on earth can a woman be with a man who has admitted sexually violating children???????????

Yes Peachy, we do

This story has made me so fucking angry.

Theya ctually gave his road on the lcoal news yesterday (he doesn't live in the West any more, he's in london)

Bet the poeple there are really looking forwards to their next visit....

There was a guy in Bath a couple of years ago who got a year in nick for puirating and selling DVDs, and this fucker gets let off after he admitted to 25 counts of abusing children???

I can't even begin to understand the "justice" system in this country

Ah I know someone near Bridgwater who sells dodgy DVD's and has been reported to the police for child porn, they never investigated (despite our best efforts) and at,m he resides in Thailand most of the time- and sends DVD's back to be sold on.

Have repeatedly contacted everyone though, as have many of us, he just gets away with it

The guy in bath was selling rip off new cinema releases.

Hmm, wonder if tis the same person? ocld well be, thats what this chap makes most of his cash from (that and dodgy fake football kits)

Sadly one of his 2 marriages is to a very vulnerable and ill friend of mine, he's ruined her life. BAstard.

No he still lives here. I have seen him in the pub.

I don;t think they did him fo indecent images or anything like that

God there's 2 of the bastards

This one got away by giving his PC to a mate and 'frgetting' who it was

I'm glad I am not the only one frustratingly angry about this tbh, I thought the world was going mad when I heard the news to begin with.

Peachy, He didn't do child porn, as far as I know.

I think he was just making a few quid on the side ripping off films that were shown in the cinema. He seems like a nice enough chap (well, nice enough apart from being a crim!) but I wouldn't say he's dodgy in that way.

My mum worked with a cahp who looked at child por over a period of time on his WORK computer. He was never taken to task for this, as he talkeed his way out of it

but he's going to get therapy,so that makes everything alright

apparently.

organised religion has been used as an excuse to abuse children in different ways time and time again.it makes me so sad.

Hopefully the Attorney General will look at this shambles and overturn the Judges decision.

This is so wrong. How can a judge get it so wrong? He committed a crime against children and now he just walks free. I wouldn't be surprised if some devestated, off balance parent kills him.

I have family that are jw. I know for fact he would not of been considered as 'gods son on earth' as the times say, that would go against all they believes. Also know that they is no way he would be allowed to carry on with his duties and they would not support him, he would be allowed to go to meetings as worship is open to all. Cant believe the judge let him off as religious, absurd everyone should be treated equally not matter what they profess it be

Orangehead- the leader of his church said that his role in the church would remain- even door to door stuff

tiredemma - anyone who does anything wrong even if sorry cant remain doing normal duties, in most cases ie smoking, adultery it lasts till congregation happy the person has changed lifestyle often quite a few months. But clearly states in jw publications that serious sin such as child abuse would result in permanent removement from duties as could no longer b placed in a position of trust.