The lack of compassion shown by the presiding judge towards the victim’s brother in the case of Kenneth Gafà (July 21) is nothing short of shocking.

According to the report, the judge told the victim’s brother to “go home and light a candle and thank God I’m not jailing you for 30 days for contempt of court”.

This after the victim’s brother attempted to assault his sister’s callous murderer.

Doesn’t the judge think the family has suffered enough without such comments and lack of empathy? What else did he expect the family to do, pat the killer on the back?

There were kinder ways and words available for the judge to ask them to moderate their behaviour. In foreign courts, victims of crime and their family members are allowed to have their day in court and can even confront the criminal and read out a statement.

In Malta, we are ‘advanced’ and send people to prison in distress to jail. Shame!