Witchfinding

[kingandy]

This morning's news was filled with coverage of the fallout from the conviction of murderer Ian Huntley. People are mostly kicking up a stink about the fact that he managed to get a job at a school (as janitor) "despite past allegations of rape and underage sex," and that these allegations weren't brought up during the trial.

The problem I have with this coverage is this: Being accused of a crime is not, in itself, a crime.

Apparently he shouldn't have got a job like that anyway, since he was once actually convicted of theft or something, which makes the "police incompetence" issue no less pressing, but that's hardly ever mentioned on the news reports or articles; everyone's focussing on the unproven allegations. Plus, of course, after being accused of such things it is rather incriminating - one might say stupid - to then actively seek out work with children. Not actually criminal though.

I don't know, I'm no law expert, but it seems like bad reporting to me. Not to mention sensationalist. Any of my journo friends care to comment?

Oh ... and on a completely unrelated note ... RotK review (no spoilers)

Comments

[stsquad.livejournal.com]

Of course its sensationalism. Nothing sells papers better than stories
about "monsters" and sleazy revelations. Add in the the moral
indignation and finger pointing and you have a classic media scrum.

No you shouldn't bring up past allegations in court (I was surprised
about the one rape allegation that was mentioned in open court,
however that was part of Maxine Carrs defence). I'm even hesitant
about bringing in past convictions, although I can see given the
escalating pattern of these sort of crimes there may be a case for it.
IMHO though the evidence the prosecution had available was damning
enough in itself.

Of course the standards of a fair court system can be waived for the
screening process you go through for working with children. Its
precautionary and if kept confidential the people who fail the test
can do other stuff. I would be less easy about a publically available
register because of the vigilante issue, as well as a belief that
people can be rehabilitated.

Of course for all the moral panic and "evil predatory pedophiles
monsters lurking around every corner" that get the Daily Mail set
so wound up the real tragedy is as a child you are still more likely to be
abused and/or killed by your biological parents. But of course it doesn't make as good copy :-(

[nattydreadi.livejournal.com]

I had to go through a police check just to train to be a teacher ... mine took about 3 months due to being Northern Irish, they have to check for terrorist connections (apparently schools can get their hands on all sorts of snacky stuff)

My cousin had the same problem when he went into the Army with having us respectable Middle Class Northern Irish cousin types in his family.

Police checks are thorough in a word and the fact that he was accused of a crime but never convicted will go on his record but will not stop him from being given a job in that environment because the innocent until proven guilty does normally happen unless the trial is sensationalised by the media.

In saying that I hope that Huntley rots in the deepest circle of hell for he is a bad egg.