Plea for help and support for Sex offender

Dear Editor, We were distressed at the tone of the statement made by the relatives of the child involved in the Nick Graves case which appeared on thamenews.net.

It is our opinion that the Judge gave a very fair penalty taking into consideration the seriousness of the crime. A far greater penalty is that Nick has destroyed his and Jan?s future, and his children have to live with the knowledge of his conviction for the rest of their lives. The damage done to the member of the complainant family will probably be minimal in the future unless he is continually reminded of it.

In this situation, surely, what Nick?s family desperately needs is help and support, not a vindictive attack. There was absolutely no need for more people in this close knit community to know of the situation.

We would suggest that the attitude that should be adopted is that which maybe most difficult ? forgiveness. In so doing it will help both families to come to terms with the present situation and will prevent long lasting bitterness.

We are afraid that we consider that the comment about the ?importance of listening and trusting children? is, sadly, completely wrong in that mischievous complaints by children have become so common that the government is now taking action to prevent the disastrous results that can take place when there is no substance in the complaint.

Name and address supplied.