Penalties do not fit the crimes, Best wishes, A cut above

How long do you get in prison if you neglect your children in the most appalling manner, letting them live in filth and squalor?

The answer is two years for the father involved and two-and-a-half for the mother, after they were sentenced at Lewes Crown Court.

Yet this disgusting couple let their five children live in this shocking state for more than twice as long as that before action was taken. The judge who imposed the sentences said neither of them had the right to be considered members of a civilised society. But the penalties involved did not reflect the enormity of the crime.

There is also an urgent need for a change in the law after the same couple were acquitted last year of murdering three young babies. Although it was plain the babies had been smothered, it was impossible under the law as it stands to prove a case against either parent.

There is also still the unanswered question of why it took the authorities so long to intervene when they knew how ghastly conditions were.

Only a public inquiry will satisfy the thousands of people who are angry at what this case has shown about child care in our society.

Best wishes

Jeanette Allen lost her campaigning husband Robin last year when he collapsed and died during a council committee meeting.

She could not have done more to honour his memory, including setting up a campaign team and raising money for charity. Now Jeanette, the Lewes Tory agent, has announced she is to wed John Morris who suffered a similar tragedy last year when his wife died from a heart attack in France.

They have both suffered immense emotional pain and anguish since then. We wish them both a wonderful life together.

A cut above

It's a tough task for Andy Harmer from Eastbourne being a lookalike for famous footballer David Beckham.

The England player took to the field for Manchester United at the weekend having cropped his trademark blond hair. Now 21-year-old Andy will have his locks trimmed this week so that he can continue to resemble the soccer superstar.

But he knows better than anyone that the life of a lookalike can be short. Like Beckham's mane, it can be hair today and gone tomorrow.

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