Unusual
A community sentence handed down to a man who raped a 13-year-old schoolgirl when he was 17 has been described as “extraordinary” by a leading KC. Sean Hogg, now 21, attacked the girl in Dalkeith Country Park, Midlothian, on various occasions in 2018.
Judge Lord Lake said that if the offence had been committed by an adult over 25, Hogg would have received a jail sentence of four or five years. Tommy Ross KC said the 270-hour community sentence was “very unusual”. Hogg’s punishment has also been condemned by Rape Crisis Scotland.
Not to be confused with Rape Crisis Edinburgh, whose CEO is a man who calls himself a woman.
No sense in ruining a young man’s life when he was so penitent and remorseful on the stand. He might have a fine swimming career, or something, which might be marred by the fact that he repeatedly raped a barely teen-aged girl.
Something like 99% of rapes never make it to trial and then when the CPS does manage a conviction, guess what? It doesn’t really matter, anyway. I’m not in favor of vigilante justice, but if somebody wants to pay the lad a visit, I could look away without remorse.
If you are a young promising man, rape is just a misdemeanor.
It is extremely concerning to read about the community sentence given to Sean Hogg for raping a 13-year-old schoolgirl. While I understand that the judge took into consideration Hogg’s age at the time of the offence, it is difficult to comprehend how a 270-hour community sentence can be an appropriate punishment for such a heinous crime. It is even more disheartening to read that this sentencing has been described as “extraordinary” by a leading KC.
I am left wondering what message this sends to survivors of sexual assault and rape, particularly those who are children. How can we expect victims to come forward and report their abuse if the consequences for the perpetrator are so minimal? It is also concerning to see the criticism that has been levelled at Rape Crisis Scotland for their condemnation of Hogg’s punishment. As a society, we need to listen to and support survivors of sexual violence and take appropriate action to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
It is clear that