[tgs]

I'd disagree, Aviva - with the death penalty, that is. I have no idea whether the majority of British people would like to see it come back. Personally, I find it barbaric. It's always struck me as strange that the State takes a life to illustrate that it is wrong to take a life.

We've got it plain wrong with some that were hanged (e.g. Timothy Evans) and there's even some doubt over Dr Crippen now, isn't there? To say nothing of Edith Evans and Derek Bentley. Neither of whom killed anyone but were hanged anyway because of some judge's notion of making an example of them.

There have also been too many who have been wrongly convicted and subsequently released. Several women who have been accused of killing their children, like Sally Clark, would have been murdered by the state where in fact, the so-called experts in their cases - like Dr Roy Meadows - were the ones who screwed up. There are numerous cases where faulty evidence at the trial has meant the subsequent release of those who would have qualified for the death penalty if we'd had it.

Sutcliffe was schizophrenic so he wouldn't have been hanged - although he might a few decades ago. As for the others, I honestly don't think life inside is as easy as you think. Prisoners have their own code of ethics and seem to apply it.

Awful thing - I hope we never, ever bring it back.

I know you're talking about a specific crime, but I wouldn't want to see it come back even if someone topped the Queen.