What a contrast in the reactions of Wednesday morning's newspapers to the sentence handed down to paedophile nursery nurse Vanessa George.
George, guilty of a series of sex offences at the Little Ted's Day Centre Unit in Plymouth, was given an indeterminate sentence after she refused to name the children she abused.
The judge, Mr Justice Royce, told her she would serve at least seven years in jail.
Although there is no excuse for the crimes George committed, the varying tone of the headlines - and the angle they took - suggested an element of rabble rousing among some. (The headlines below are taken from the print newspaper, while the stories can be accessed through the web links provided.)
Contrast this: "Price of depravity: just seven years in jail" (Daily Mail); with this: "Nursery paedophile may never be let out of jail" (Daily Telegraph).
Or this: "Nursery paedo's 'let-off'" (The Sun); with this: "Victims of abuse still unknown as George jailed indefinitely" (The Guardian).
Apart from the fact that George was not "let off", The Sun failed to find anyone to say that she had been, although, perhaps predictably, the reporter quoted a mother calling for the restoration of capital punishment, hanging being her preferred method. Firing squad not good enough for her, then.
Few could argue with the Daily Mail's use of the word "depravity". But "just seven years in jail"? The Mail has assumed George will be out by 2016. Perhaps the newspaper has little faith in a parole board's deliberations.
It is only the "heavies", formerly the broadsheets, that maintained a sense of perspective. Indeed, the judge made the point of saying that George may well spend the rest of her life behind bars.
Child abuse rightly commands the wrath of the public but I do wonder what the purpose is of misrepresenting the facts. Yes, George might be free in seven years. But does anyone think it likely?
Perhaps you should try the local newspapers... you do know they exist, yes?
http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Vanessa-George-jailed-indefinitely-public-protection/article-1610727-detail/article.html
Is this really a surprise anymore? The rags like to shout about whatever sells papers.
"It is only the 'heavies', formerly the broadsheets, that maintained a sense of perspective. Indeed, the judge made the point of saying that George may well spend the rest of her life behind bars."
Inaccurate, but hey, I guess bloggers also don't have to worry about accuracy either.
Hi Carl, thanks for your responses. I am not sure what you referring to in your second comment. Accuracy? Regarding what? If you click on the embedded links and read the press reports carried in the "heavies", you will find that the judge did indeed say that Vanessa George may spend the rest of her life in jail.
If you are concerned that I failed to cite the Plymouth newspaper you work for, fair enough, but the intention of the blog was to compare the coverage of the case in the national press, not the regional press.
As for your earlier comment/question, which I had intended to let pass...I am very much aware of the existence of the regional press, having spent many years as a journalist on local and evening newspapers.
Regards, Mike