The term “the law is an ass” has stood since time immemorial; here in Malta the courts are doing their utmost to prove it right. I simply cannot understand how serious crimes are being dealt with by handing down suspended sentences as punishment. Have the courts lost the value of the victim and turned in favour of the perpetrator?

I spent 30 years in law enforcement abroad and never have I heard of serious cases being dealt with by a light slap on the wrist. Causing someone’s death through reckless driving or assaulting a police officer, to name a couple, are classed as unfortunate events in the eyes of the learned magistrates and judges entrusted to ensure that some deterrent still exists for those who are thinking of breaking the law.

I am sad to say that there seems to be a total breakdown in sentencing. Perhaps our prisons have become full but surely the man in the street deserves some protection against those who are hell-bent on leading a lawless life.

I cringe when I read how the police doing a stalwart job in the apprehension and prosecution of offenders are just cast aside by the courts. How can one justify that when a police officer in the lawful execution of his duty, while trying to arrest offenders, is tripped over causing him to break his wrist, the act is classed an unfortunate event?!

The way things stand, surely a lot of money can be saved by not bothering to instigate expensive court cases.

Would it not be easier to just send suspended sentences to offenders through the post? Someone must be answerable for the fact that suspended sentences are being dished out like confetti.