THE decision to cut the jail sentence for child abuser Christopher Metcalfe provoked anger from Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman.
The veteran MP, who has held Home Office posts, said it was another example of how judges and the country’s judicial system was out of step with ordinary life.
Metcalfe, 39, of Birkby, won a cut in his five and half year sentence imposed after molesting a young girl several times and hoarding child porn. He could be free in November next year.
Mr Sheerman said: “I am very concerned when we hear about cases like this.
“It goes against all commonsense arguments. For a long time I have felt we have a judicial system and judges who are out of touch with ordinary life.
“They are often from public school backgrounds and have never endured the pressures of ordinary people living ordinary lives.
“We need a far more democratic system of justice, with judges coming from a much wider range of backgrounds.
“I am certain few if any of the judges in this country have had to live on the same street as a sex offender and feel the anger and the hurt that they cause”.
