THE family of Leanne White, who killed herself fearing the paedophile who stole her childhood would soon be released from jail, has welcomed new sentencing powers.
Changes giving courts much greater powers to protect the public and help reduce re-offending have been announced by the Home Office.
The measures will strengthen community punishments for low risk offenders but they will give courts the power to ensure serious, dangerous and persistent offenders spend longer in prison.
The measures, which will come into effect in April, will include public protection sentences aimed specifically at sexual and violent offenders, which will ensure those considered to be a risk can only ever be released on the recommendation of the parole board. And, if the risk never becomes acceptable, they may never be released.
In September 2003 Leanne, who was one of 13 girls abused by George Davison, fell 60ft from the Brunel West car park.
Her family say the thought the paedophile could be released made her suicidal.
Her father-in-law, Des, 69, of Frilford Drive, Stratton, said the family would welcome powers that could help others.
"What I think about the justice system is unprintable.
"But I would welcome powers that could keep people behind bars for longer," he said.
Davison, a family friend, abused Leanne, of Stratton, between the ages of 11 and 14. He was jailed for 15 years in 1996, but in 2000 she learned he could be eligible for parole this year.
Jacky Jerome, who suffered more than 20 years of torture at the hands of her husband, agreed the new powers would give the victims greater protection.
The 45-year-old, of Kingswood Avenue, Walcot, who was tied up in a chair, handcuffed to a bed and beaten by husband Kenneth, expects the reign of abuse to continue when he is released from prison.
Last September, Jerome was jailed for six years for falsely imprisoning and assaulting her.
"Not knowing what's going to happen in the future means you can never live a normal life," she said.
"I think the new powers will help a lot of people."
Ben Payne
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