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Judge lets teen sex abuser walk free
Judge Julian Hall
Judge Julian Hall

Controversial Judge Julian Hall was condemned last night after he let a paedophile walk free from court.

Judge Hall, criticised last year for saying a 10-year-old rape victim dressed provocatively, gave a Berinsfield teenager three years' probation for molesting a five-year-old girl.

The 17-year-old - who Judge Hall banned the Oxford Mail from naming - had also abused a seven-year-old boy.

But the judge said the teenage abuser was "not dangerous".

The mother of the five-year-old victim had to be led out of Oxford Crown Court after Judge Hall passed the sentence, which also included a ban on the teen from having any contact with children in online chatrooms and via his mobile phone.

He told the defendant he must also attend courses to sort out his attitude to sex and children.

Relatives of the victim last night condemned the sentences handed down by the judge.

Last year, Judge Hall sent Blackbird Leys window cleaner Keith Fenn to prison for just two years after he raped a 10-year-old.

He also told a 71-year-old man who sexually abused a six-year-old to compensate her with money for a new bike.

This sentencing history was described by the five-year-old victim's sister as an "atrocity."

The 26-year-old said: "How can you justify not sending these people to prison?

"I am not saying he should not be a judge, but I do not think he takes the families' feelings into account - or the victims'."

She added: "If we had had another judge, I do not think he would have been so lenient.

"The care of my sister should be the utmost importance, but the judge has chosen to look after him and not her.

"This has ripped us apart. My sister has not spoken to anybody about it."

Judge Hall told lawyers in court: "At the moment, the defendant is probably not dangerous."

The girl's mother, who was sitting in the public gallery, shouted out: "Tell that to my daughter!"

Judge Hall told the teenager: "What you did was dreadful and it is the sort of behaviour which affects people rather badly and for a long time.

"You are going to have to attend courses to help you sort out your attitude to sex and children younger than you."

He granted the teenager anonymity and said that he was too young to be identified publicly for his crimes.

6:11am Monday 21st January 2008

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Posted by: Moe Szyslak, Worlds End on 7:14am Mon 21 Jan 08
This judge needs to be shown the door by the government, it's obvious he's not up to doing the job.
The seventeen year old needs birching,or maybe an islamic penalty like CUTTING HIS BALLS OFF!
Posted by: Terry Hutchinson on 10:04am Mon 21 Jan 08
So why haven't the CPS contested this riciculously lenient sentence?
Posted by: A parent, oxford on 11:59am Mon 21 Jan 08
For god sake get rid of him
Posted by: Tony Brett, Oxford on 12:46pm Mon 21 Jan 08
"I log onto the Oxford Mail every day, not to get the news, but to view the postings on the site relating to stories such as this. In the main, I think these boards reflect the common view of the majority, and it saddens me to read on a daily basis how the opinions of the masses differ so much from those in positions of authority and power."

Erm no - these boards represent the views of a small bunch of people who don't even have the guts to put their own name to their comments.

Oh and yes, I think this judge needs serious and urgent investigation too.
Posted by: mike, xford on 12:52pm Mon 21 Jan 08
I would have thought it was obvious why he had a lenient sentence. There are no prison places because the meally mouthed politicians who RULE us are looking after their own interests!!
Posted by: yvonne, tampa on 2:12pm Mon 21 Jan 08
How much longer are we going to put up with this old idiot of a judge, does he have some sort of mental problem, maybe we should make him take a course on how these physically abused children are affected by this crime, or does he really NOT CARE. This idiot has no idea what sentance anyone should have, he needs to be REMOVED from the bench for good.
Posted by: Sally, Sheffield on 2:19pm Mon 21 Jan 08
I was always under the assumption that "Justice" was meant to be for the victim/their family NOT the criminal - or in this case the pervert. It is about time sentences were of a fixed term when in cases where children have been molested/raped/murde
red or harmed (neglect etc). Judges who ignore the harsher sentences are obviously in need of further training or should be retired.
Posted by: Jenny on 4:04pm Mon 21 Jan 08
If this prat of a judge knew what it was to be abused, then perhaps he would not be so lenient with his sentencing. Perhaps there is more to this judge than meets the eye. For my own reasons I hate this judge and all he stands for. I hope he burns in hell.
Posted by: Urban Fox, Cowley on 5:01pm Mon 21 Jan 08
He da*n well should be investigated or sacked, prefably the latter!

What signals does this send out?

It's enough to turn decent folk vigilante and string the perv up along with this poor excuse for a judge!

Where's Judge Dredd when you need him!
Posted by: Terry Chandler, East Oxford on 5:01pm Mon 21 Jan 08
Why is he always so lenient on sex offenders? Perhaps an investigation into his private life would shed some light no this. He should be removed immediately.
Posted by: The Daddy, Oxford on 5:46pm Mon 21 Jan 08
I know from personal experience that this judge has tried to hand down max sentences only for the law to say he cant and must take time off for many petty reasons, yes the man should sentence to the max but if its the law that is stopping him giving longer sentences then he should say that, not sure in this case because the vile perv involved in my case did the same crime yet has gone down for 9 years.. judge gave him 20 years but again the stupid law reduced it to 9.. where is the protection for our kids?? I agree its only a matter of time before the public pass their own sentence on the goverment who allow laws like this to protect the criminal and not the victim. my thoughts are with this victim and her family.
Posted by: Rich, USA on 6:42pm Mon 21 Jan 08
I just hope his ruling, letting this pervert free, does'nt
come back to haunt some poor family, by it happening again, but ending in a death
Posted by: Michael McManus, standlake on 7:36pm Mon 21 Jan 08
When are victims of this evil crime going to get justice in our courts, This judge is a utter disgrace, I wish it was in my power to beable to inplant the memory of what it is like to be abused in our judges heads
Posted by: what do i know?, oxon on 8:25pm Mon 21 Jan 08
This judge is disgusting but it is not just him. If our government actually cared about protecting our society rather than focus on WAR then they would do something! These scumbags live everywhere. Near schools, childrens parks and what do the government jack sh*t. I reckon we should all get together and Name and shame so all our children are protected.
Posted by: Mr Ison, England on 8:45pm Mon 21 Jan 08
Strange man.
Posted by: lauren, Oxford on 10:19pm Mon 21 Jan 08
I have followed the well publicised sentences that this ridiculous judge has handed out and I must say that I agree, it does make you wonder what perturbed views this so called respected figure of authority actually has. To label a 10 year old girl as promiscuous is an absolute disgrace, I believe that no child could possibly be and that it is only in the eye of the perverse beholder! Correct there is little space in jails but perhaps the government need to prioritise who actually needs to be locked up and peodophiles and rapists need to be locked up above all else.
Posted by: Rich, USA on 3:11am Tue 22 Jan 08
perhaps as he has to wear a wig, maybe at night he adds a pair of earings and some lip stick with it, and who knows, maybe a nice full leanth dress, spank, spank, and who's been a naughty boy then.
Posted by: Eric Rasmusen, Oxford on 12:06pm Wed 30 Jan 08
Has anyone thought of pressuring the County Council to pass a resolution condemning this judge and calling for his removal? It's the local politicians who can be induced to take a stand-- though they will hate having to do so.
Posted by: LlewellyndeVere on 8:53pm Wed 11 Jun 08
HANG THIS JUDGE - Upside down with his feet nailed ! GOD **** THIS JUDGE - Hang him !
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