Recent decisions in the sentencing of violent offenders by the local judiciary suggest that rather than elect a PCC who appears mostly invisible, a more satisfactory approach to reassure voters that the justice system works in their interest, might be to elect the judiciary instead.
That might prevent the ongoing procession of violent defendants walking out of court, having received only the mildest slap on the wrist before going on to reoffend.
I would be interested to hear how local judges explain their current sentencing policy so that some of their more baffling decisions could be understood. Not to do so seems to me to indicate that the judiciary are out of touch and a little contemptuous of the public.
Guy Green Old Town Swindon
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