Serial Rapists
On regular basis, several times a month at least, I come across a news report where the criminal justice system seems to have taken leave of its senses - as in this case where a serial rapist was given six years in jail for a series of nasty and premeditated sex attacks going back over a decade.
Now the sentence handed down was six years in prison before this violent offender can be considered for release - but as far as I can see these 'minimum' jail terms normally turn into a 'maximum' length of time that offenders are held - in which case six years seems like a paltry sentence.
To my mind, there is a substantial body of evidence to suggest that people like William Fenton are hopeless recidivists who deserve to be sent to prison for the rest of their lives - which is the only way that such individuals will finally cease to be a serious threat to women and young girls.
Serial drug rapist William Fenton jailed for four attacks
The first person to be convicted of drug rape in Northern Ireland has been jailed for similar offences which he committed after resettling in Scotland.
William Fenton, 55, drugged and raped one woman and sexually assaulted three others at his new home in Ayr between June 2011 and April last year.
At the High Court in Edinburgh he was given an order for lifelong restriction and told to serve at least six years.
In 2000, Fenton was jailed in Northern Ireland over drug-related sex attacks.
Jailing him, Lord Burns told Fenton: "You were convicted in May of this year of the rape of one complainer and the sexual assaults of three others having given them some substance which rendered them unconscious."'Clear danger'
The judge said the offences were serious and bore similarities to previous convictions.
Lord Burns said: "In particular, I note you have been convicted in the past of the sexual assault of young girls and of women.
"In 2000 you were convicted of rape and later that year indecent assault on a female after administering some stupefying substance upon her.
"The risk you present to the public is a high one and you are really a clear danger to females."
The judge imposed an order for lifelong restriction and ordered that he serve a minimum term of six years in prison before he becomes eligible to seek parole.
Lord Burns told Fenton: "This does not mean you will be released at the end of that period."
The judge said that any future decision to allow Fenton out of prison would depend on the view that the parole board took of the risk that he posed to the public.Charges denied
If freed by the parole authorities Fenton would be kept under supervision.
Fenton denied the latest charges against him when he was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow earlier this year.
His trial heard that the victims knew Fenton as Billy or Irish Billy. All four lost consciousness after being plied with alcohol laced with drugs.
One woman had baby oil rubbed on her stomach and back while she was unconscious.
Another was kissed and touched on her clothed breasts and repeated attempts were made to part her legs.
A third woman was raped while she was unconscious and incapable of consenting.
A fourth victim was filmed while she was naked and when Fenton was touching her breasts.
