| Comment | A non-violent first offender with a supportive family and no previous convictions is always going to get bail. That's what the bail system is for: ensuring people aren't locked-up pending trial, which a) costs the state £££ and b) can operate as punishment without trial if they are found not guilty (let's say you get wrongfully accused of murder, get locked up on remand for seven months whilst the Crown prepares for trial, and then get found not guilty - you've effectively served 7 months prison for something you never did!).
McGarry was given a prison sentence and she *lost* her appeal against that. Prison is rare for a first-time nonviolent offender, so clearly the court *did* recognise the appalling breach of trust on her part and sentenced her appropriately. |
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