Tonight:
5°c
Caustic soda rapists to have 'lenient' jail sentences reviewed
Paul Cheston12 Feb 2009
Three men who gang-raped a 16-year-old girl before dousing her in caustic soda are to have their jail sentences reviewed to decide if they were "unduly lenient", it was announced today.
The cases of Rogel McMorris, 18, Jason Brew, 19, and Hector Muaimba, 20, who were jailed at Wood Green crown court on 19 January, have been referred to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General, Baroness Scotland.
The victim, who had a mental age of eight, was disfigured for life in the attack in Tottenham.
Jamaican-born McMorris, of Antill Road, Tottenham, was jailed for nine years after being convicted of two rape counts and one of causing grievous bodily harm.
Brew, of High Cross Road, Haringey, and Angolan immigrant Muaimba, of Guildford Road, Waltham Forest, were both found guilty of one charge of rape. They were each jailed for six years for attacking the girl, although a further two years was added to Muaimba's sentence for a separate Old Bailey conviction for robbery.
Charities representing people with learning difficulties condemned the sentences as too short. The girl's attackers used their mobile phones to record her suffering, the trial heard.
They hoped the caustic soda, a powerful corrosive, would destroy forensic evidence. As the victim writhed in agony, they poured water on her, intensifying the burning.
The alarm was raised by a neighbour, who heard her "frantic" cries and found her covered with raw patches on her face and body. A year on from the attack, the girl still faces further surgery and continues to have counselling.
Baroness Scotland's office said today: "The Attorney General has decided to refer the sentences given to Rogel McMorris, Jason Brew and Hector Muaimba to the Court of Appeal.
"It will now be for the Court of Appeal, at a future hearing, to review the sentences to determine whether they are unduly lenient.
"If the Court of Appeal decides that the sentences are unduly lenient they have the power to increase the length of the sentences."
Reader views (17)
It is doubtful this girl will ever have a full nights sleep for the rest of her life. Skin grafting (as if shw has not suffered enough) is one of the most painful medical procedures.
- Karen, City of London, 10/03/2009 21:37
Report abuse
One of the worst crimes I ever heard of.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 13/02/2009 11:01
Report abuse
Judges, Bankers, Politicians (of either sort) - where can it all end? Are there any reserve powers in the Royal Prerogative? Can the Privy Council be dismissed?
- Steve, London, England, 12/02/2009 17:30
Report abuse
Given that there is much disquiet about 'lenient' sentences handed down by judges is it not about time that this power was removed. Jurors are considered to have enough responsibility to determine the guilt of the accused, then they should have enough nous to state the sentence. The Judge should act as a referee to ensure 'fair play' on both sides and on his summation, can state the minimum and maximum sentence for the crime. Each of the twelve jurors would state the sentence that he/she felt appropriate and the grand total averaged. This would remove the possibility of a jury being unable to reach concensus on a fixed term. Blindingly simple, very democratic, so not a 'dogs chance' of ever being accepted!
- Ron, Croydon England, 12/02/2009 17:18
Report abuse
I'm afraid that the word lenient was removed from the dictionary by the government in 1999 due to it offending and embarassing certain groups of public officials. There is however a replacement word which is used in it's stead, the word is "gordonbrownisbrilliantandcandonowrong", this word can also be used to replace terms such as inept, rubbish, useless, incompetant.
- Bob, Cheam, 12/02/2009 16:53
Report abuse
They deserved the death penalty, nothing less, that's the only thing evil scum like this would understand.
The legal profession in this country is a disgrace, as a rule, they are spineless and have let this country sink down to the level of a sewer. If anybody knew the law, it was them, they could see what was happening to this country regarding laws and sentences, and yet, what did they do about it? You can see exactly what they did by the example reported above.
- Ralph, GB, 12/02/2009 16:39
Report abuse
I suspect the original sentences where felt to be not to harsh by the sentencing Court because the victum may have tried to defend herself from the three brutal cowards. Only in the UK.
- W.G. Novak, Ann Arbor,Mi. USA, 12/02/2009 16:20
Report abuse
The judge is as bad as them.
- P I Staker, London, SW8, 12/02/2009 16:12
Report abuse
Feed them to the dogs and I imagine pretty much everyone would agree they deserve it! no amount of prison time can reflect the inexcusable torture they put her through
- Graham, London, 12/02/2009 15:57
Report abuse
Grotesquely lenient I'd say!
What these criminal monsters did to this hapless innocent was compatible to the unthinkably horrendous tortures perpetrated by the worst.
The poor girl suffered, and will continue to suffer, until the day she dies, the type of prolonged physical and psychological torture and agonies that most of us only ever have nightmares about!
- Dave, cumbria, 12/02/2009 15:12
Report abuse
Yes, they certainly deserved to get longer sentences. At least two of them are not British born nationals, they should be deported on release.
I hope their poor victim will eventually be able to live in peace, after her horrific ordeal.
- Denise, London UK, 12/02/2009 14:52
Report abuse
It's against their 'uman Rights inn'it.
If any increase to their sentence occurs then it's of to the EU High Courts where the decision will be over turned by the prejudicial Europeans and they will be set free and paid thousands in compensation. Which they will use to start their drug dealing enterprises in anonymity.
Labour + EU = Lags best friends.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 12/02/2009 14:50
Report abuse
Yes they were lenient.
- Sue, Orpington, Kent, 12/02/2009 13:48
Report abuse
This girl's life will never be the same thanks to these cowards. The sentences are a disgrace - they will still be young men when they are released into society.
- Chris, London, 12/02/2009 13:46
Report abuse
Did it not occur to the judge as a representative of the 'great and the good' that this crime would be viewed by the public as being so cruel and so violent that an exemplary sentence was warranted and not one that might be viewed as lenient?
- Peter Haldane, London, 12/02/2009 13:42
Report abuse
They were definitely unduly lenient.
- Jimmy, Fulham, 12/02/2009 13:40
Report abuse
This crime was truly, TRULY horrific - having premeditated the attack and researched an acid that they would pour over the poor victim's nether regions, they then callously FILMED HER AGONY. They deserve longer.
- Roz, Chamonix, France, 12/02/2009 13:34
Report abuse
