SDLP lodges complaint on loyalist sentencing

21/10/2005 - 08:38:16
The SDLP has made a formal complaint to the North's Chief Justice about alleged over-lenient sentencing of loyalists.

The party lists a series of incidents in which loyalists were found guilty of serious offences but received suspended or short jail terms.

For example, they cited a case where a man claimed that a gun hidden under his bed was put there by his dog, and he was sentenced with a community service order.

The political party also said that notorious loyalists with criminal records often avoid going to prison.