Pulling Your Leg

A chap appeared in court the other week - a murderer who was jailed for life in 1992 for the murder of a young woman.

The reason that Andre Reich - now in his sixties - was at the high court in London was because of his claim that he should be regarded as a lower security risk.

After breaking his leg at Long Lartin prison - where as a Category A prisoner he is   regarded as 'potentially highly dangerous'.

The court heard that Reich was still regarded as potentially highly dangerous because he had never admitted his crime - even after serving the 15-year minimum term set on his life sentence.

Despite a prison panel recommending that he be downgraded government's director of high security blocked the move - stating:

"We are still no nearer to understanding the motivations behind his careful planned act of violence against a young woman. The director also noted that his offending history had also evidenced a propensity for violence."

Andre Reich's lawyer - a QC no less - told the court that too little regard had been given to his client's reduced mobility when deciding his prison status. 

"One way to manage Mr Reich's risk," he said "Is to take his stick away."

Yes what a brilliant idea - then his client could bring another ridiculous case for the prison authorities for endangering his health and safety - while behind bars.

For some reason the judge ruled that Mr Reich's complaints were arguable - and granted him permission for a judicial review of the decision not to downgrade him - which be held later in 2012.

QCs don't come cheap by the way - a couple of thousand pounds a day at least plus expenses - and the the costs of everyone else caught up in this legal pantomime.

Quite how something like this ends up in court is anyone's guess - but it's another sign that our judicial system has gone crazy - parts of it at least are not fit for purpose.