Does the new law on harassment work?
Last year new legislation was passed which made it possible for those who attack people with learning disabilities to be treated more seriously. However the failure of the police or the Procurator Fiscal's office to use this legislation makes us wonder if it is any more than jsut window dressing.
BBC Scotland reports that "Two teenage girls carried out a prolonged "degrading" assault on a vulnerable young man, Arbroath Sheriff Court has heard. Paige Sharp, 16, and Danielle Sinclair, 17, admitted assaulting the 21-year-old man, who suffered from learning difficulties." Read the story here.
The intensity, nature and duration of their attack indicates that the girls knew they were attacking someone with learning disabilities and took advantage of this. Yet they have not been charged underthe new law and will get lighter sentences as a result.
The question we are asking is has anyone at all been charged under the new legislation?