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Councillor slams rape sentences | |
(1 day later) | |
Current jail sentences for rapists amount to little more than "a slap on the wrist," the chairman of Belfast City Council's parks committee said. | |
Bob Stoker has called on the judiciary to consider tougher penalties. | |
He was speaking following the rape of an 18-year-old girl in Botanic Gardens, south Belfast, at the weekend. | |
A team of specialist detectives is working on the case. Mr Stoker called for a joined-up approach to anti-social behaviour, involving police and courts. | |
The police said in the 11 months from last April to February sexual assaults fell by 3% and also fell by 3% in south Belfast. | |
Mr Stoker said the council was working hard to improve security in the city's parks. | |
Roving rangers patrol parks and community safety wardens were in operation, he said. | |
"From a personal point of view, there does not seem to be a great deterrent for anti-social behaviour or indeed rape," he said. | |
"The judiciary have a role to play. The sentences that have been handed out seem to be very lenient. | |
'Slap on the wrist' | |
"Offenders get a slap on the wrist and jail for seven years and they are out in three and a half years. I would be calling on the judiciary to re-examine this." | |
Pearl Gray from the Rape Crisis Centre said there had been an increase in the number of young women coming forward to report sexual assaults. | |
"This is happening a lot more often than we have seen in the past," she said. | |
"Whether it's because women are coming forward - but we have certainly seen a rise in younger women being attacked." | |
Detectives want to speak to anyone who was in Botanic Gardens or walking past the Stranmillis Road entrance around the time of the attack. | |
Police believe they may have seen something that could help them track down the rapist. | Police believe they may have seen something that could help them track down the rapist. |
On Monday, a police spokesperson said: "We fully understand the concern this incident has caused within the community and treat serious sexual assaults with the utmost seriousness. | |
"The police service are dedicated to carrying out rigorous and thorough investigations and providing a professional service to victims of rape and sexual assault. | |
"Police in south Belfast work closely with Belfast City Council and other partner agencies to make the area safer at night for everyone and we will continue to do this. " |