Thursday September 7, 2006, 1:11 pm
Goes to show that any excuse (drugs, alcohol, youth, bad childhood experience) still protects many offenders. On the other hand - what makes a sixteen year old attack young children? Was he abused himself? Is he going to get treatment / therapy for his problem? If yes - then maybe giving him a break IS the right thing to do as prison terms often turn (especially young) offenders into hardened criminals. The Justice System needs to be changed to take into account the victims and treat offenders if at all possible. Long-term thinking and care is needed rather than just lock them away and then let them loose again later.

Thursday September 7, 2006, 9:08 pm
Something's wrong here..... What would make a teenager do this? Probation? Why......At least therapy. Something smells.....

Friday September 15, 2006, 4:58 pm
Being put on probation for these crimes is only telling this boy 'you did wrong, but maybe it's not so bad'. I think he should have gotten a harsher punishment than just a 'hey, don't do this again'. Which sadly, he probably will. These crimes need to be looked at far more seriously than they are.