Is prosecuting historic sex cases a waste of public funds?

[Brietta]

I would much rather that the police put their resources into investigating live criminals and relatively current crimes
Perhaps the Home Office could consider a special unit to look into historic crime

I have grave concerns that accusations are being made against people who are unable to defend themselves for the simple reason they are dead.

The implications for the Estate  of those accused could have far reaching consequences as in the Savile instances.

I would far prefer that money is ploughed into protecting vulnerable children who are suffering abuse today initially to protect and remove them from it then to address the people perpetrating the abuse with the full force of the law.

[Anna]

I have grave concerns that accusations are being made against people who are unable to defend themselves for the simple reason they are dead.

The implications for the Estate  of those accused could have far reaching consequences as in the Savile instances.

I would far prefer that money is ploughed into protecting vulnerable children who are suffering abuse today initially to protect and remove them from it then to address the people perpetrating the abuse with the full force of the law.

I agree, Brietta. You just beat me too my similar post



The difference between the historic sex abuse cases and Madeleine, is that she is still missing and the police, need to find out what happened.
If and when the mystery is solved, the culprit, (if there is one) will be punished.
If there is a culprit and he is dead, at least we will know what happened to her.

With historic sex abuse cases we already know that the culprits are dead and what allegedly happened. The supposed culprits have no voice with which to defend themselves, if they are dead.

[Admin]

No I'm not, and I'm a bit annoyed that I appear to have started a thread inferring this without my knowledge.

You can edit the thread opening post at any time, however, the thread can be removed if you so wish?

Posts which stray from the thread topic are removed, merged with another thread or are used to start a new thread.  I felt your question merited it own thread in the circumstances.

[jassi]

I agree, Brietta. You just beat me too my similar post



The difference between the historic sex abuse cases and Madeleine, is that she is still missing and the police, need to find out what happened.
If and when the mystery is solved, the culprit, (if there is one) will be punished.
If there is a culprit and he is dead, at least we will know what happened to her.

With historic sex abuse cases we already know that the culprits are dead and what allegedly happened. The supposed culprits have no voice with which to defend themselves, if they are dead.

Not entirely true.
Nobody ( IE the public) knew  about Heath before this week. Its only when investigations are taken seriously that the information becomes public.

While this is important and may tie in with more current investigations, the police should be pursuing live criminals, particularly those who are still committing their crimes.

[Anna]

Not entirely true.
Nobody ( IE the public) knew  about Heath before this week. Its only when investigations are taken seriously that the information becomes public.

While this is important and may tie in with more current investigations, the police should be pursuing live criminals, particularly those who are still committing their crimes.

Has he been proved to be guilty? If so... what now?
I agree that it can sometimes lead to other criminals who are alive, which would be worthwhile if a prosecution was successful.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/edward-heath-child-sex-abuse-claims-convicted-brothel-keeper-myra-lingling-forde-threatened-to-expose-former-tory-prime-minister-10438790.html

[jassi]

Has he been proved to be guilty? If so... what now?
I agree that it can sometimes lead to other criminals who are alive, which would be worthwhile if a prosecution was successful.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/edward-heath-child-sex-abuse-claims-convicted-brothel-keeper-myra-lingling-forde-threatened-to-expose-former-tory-prime-minister-10438790.html

Has Saville proved to be guilty?  Would it have been better if nothing had come out about him?

[Anna]

Has Saville proved to be guilty?  Would it have been better if nothing had come out about him?

Its a pity that the allegations didn't come to light when they were alive, answerable, and could be punished if found guilty. I guess, That's what makes them historic sex abuse cases.

[Admin]

Its a pity that the allegations didn't come to light when they were alive, answerable, and could be punished if found guilty. I guess, That's what makes them historic sex abuse cases.

Maybe in another 50 years society will be looking to prosecute the guy who took the country into the Iraq war on a false pretext.

[jassi]

Maybe in another 50 years society will be looking to prosecute the guy who took the country into the Iran war on a false pretext.

We're at war with Iran ?

[Anna]

Maybe in another 50 years society will be looking to prosecute the guy who took the country into the Iraq war on a false pretext.

Later rather than sooner, seems to be the norm, in many cases.
We should never had been at war with Iraq. The weapons of mass destruction, did not materialise. It was no more than an ally thing.

[Admin]

We're at war with Iran ?

Seems my tablet thinks so.  I have edited the error. 

[stephen25000]

I have grave concerns that accusations are being made against people who are unable to defend themselves for the simple reason they are dead.

The implications for the Estate  of those accused could have far reaching consequences as in the Savile instances.

I would far prefer that money is ploughed into protecting vulnerable children who are suffering abuse today initially to protect and remove them from it then to address the people perpetrating the abuse with the full force of the law.

So you  believe Savile had nothing to answer for ?

[Admin]

Later rather than sooner, seems to be the norm, in many cases.
We should never had been at war with Iraq. The weapons of mass destruction, did not materialise. It was no more than an ally thing.

It was all about protecting the dollar.  Sadaam Hussein was going to flog off his oil in Euros which would have damaged the US dollar significantly.  If you delve into the sorry mess which the Middle East is nowadays, you will find US vested interest plays a huge part in it.

Somali was Africa's Vietnam.  The US has never got over their defeat and humiliation in Mogadishu when they and the UN had to abandon their fortifications.

[Anna]

It was all about protecting the dollar.  Sadaam Hussein was going to flog off his oil in Euros which would have damaged the US dollar significantly.  If you delve into the sorry mess which the Middle East is nowadays, you will find US vested interest plays a huge part in it.

Somali was Africa's Vietnam.  The US has never got over their defeat and humiliation in Mogadishu when they  %#&£and the UN had to abandon their fortifications.

The whole affair was a bloody fiasco. And heads should roll, but as we have been discussing. It will be in 50+ years time and too damned late to help all those who suffered because of governments cockups.


Oops! We appear to have gone Off topic.

[Admin]

The whole affair was a bloody fiasco. And heads should roll, but as we have been discussing. It will be in 50+ years time and too damned late to help all those who suffered because of governments cockups.

It would appear so, but could the tide be turning?   Is power, privilege and celebrity status still an impediment to justice?