To: et.letters@telegraph.co.uk
Re: "Paedophile thrown off cliff"
Date: Thu, 14 Jan 1999

Dear Sir,

I would like to comment on the report in today's ET (Paedophile thrown off cliff in revenge, Feedback, 14 January 1999).

I do not know, but it may well be that the defendant deserves to be let off very lightly with killing the man who sexually abused him as a boy. But owing to the publicity the case has received, and in which the Daily Telegraph has also participated, the court will have to punish him severely
enough to deter others from doing likewise.

This is a classic case, where the media do a lot more harm than good. They have made it impossible for the court to make a good decision: it must either be unjust to the defendant or invite others to follow his example in the assumption that they too will get off lightly.

I would be very interested to hear your response. (Reply from ET editor)