Name and Shame Blame Game Sensation
John Leslie left Court after sex assault charges against him were dropped "without a single stain on his character" yesterday. In reality his career and reputation are shattered.
This case has re-opened the debate about whether or not sex charge defendants should be granted a measure of anonymity to prevent "trial by media".
Tricky one this - obviously it seems unfair that many falsely accused people have had to attempt to re-build their lives after apparently doing nothing wrong. Usually their accusers have remained anonymous at least until the trial. There is an argument that the police are often greatly helped in putting together a case by people coming forward with legitimate claims that they too have suffered at the hands of the accused.
For example, many cases of child abuse in childrens homes have been helped by the media publicising the case. Without the publicity many victims of abuse may not realise that their attackers are being investigated and may never come forward unless they realise that others are going to back up their claims.
There will always be con-artists out to make a buck, hoping to sell their stories, as in the Hamilton case. I would have thought that either all parties should remain anonymous or none should.
However if all are anonymous, it's not going to sell many papers, is it?