DRAFT EMAIL TO ATTORNEY GENERAL - UNDUE LENIENCY - PETER BALL


THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Attorney General’s Office
www.attorneygeneral.gov.uk
correspondence@attorneygeneral.gsi.gov.uk

COMPLAINT ABOUT LOW SENTENCING REGARDING PETER BALL

I am writing with regard to Peter Ball, aged 83 years, who was sentenced to 32 months for misconduct in public office and 15 months for indecent assaults, to run concurrently.

The charges referred to 15 years of grooming, sexual exploitation and abuse of 18 vulnerable young men aged 17-25. Peter Ball was in an exceptional position of trust as the Bishop of Lewes between 1977 and 1992, therefore this lenient sentence cannot and should not be condoned.

On 7th September 2015, at The Old Bailey, Peter Ball admitted indecent assault and misconduct in public office.

See this information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34184967

On 7th October 2015, Peter Ball was sentenced to a 32 months custodial sentence, only half of which is expected to be served (16 months).

I understand that Mr Justice Wilkie presided over this case and was responsible for setting this unduly lenient sentence..

I am particularly concerned that Mr Justice Wilkie confirmed that Peter Ball’s sentence was lessened because of his ‘good work in the church and because Peter Ball was a “charismatic, empathetic and humble man.” I can agree that Peter Ball was indeed charismatic - a trait that he used to his own advantage when grooming 18 vulnerable young men. However, I do not concur that Peter Ball can be described as a humble man when he put his own self-gratification of carnal needs before his oath to his church.

One of Peter Ball’s victims (Neil Todd) committed suicide in 2012 as a result of the trauma he suffered. Neil had reported Peter Ball to the authorities in 1993 to prevent him from hurting others. Peter Ball was, inexplicably, subjected to no more than an official police caution at that time.

The current sentence given to Peter Ball should be reviewed urgently in order to bring it into line with the harm that he caused others over an extended period of time.

Thank you in anticipation of your intervention on this matter.

I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

[YOUR NAME]

Yours faithfully,

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