JUSTICE

When I worked in the Claims Unit in Belfast, hand in hand with the CPS, I so admired Piers Grant who was a barrister.

I felt so privileged to work with him at the time. I am shocked that he sentenced a woman to prison for stealing a £10 pair of jeans.

Back in the 1980’s/90’s barristers were making a fortune from public liability claims and most of the time they didn’t even want to put up a fight. They were getting paid regardless of the outcome so why bother to put themselves out?

Now Piers is a judge. Well, well, well.

He seems to have forgotten how they all looked sideways back in the day and for some reason has decided to lay down the law that did not apply to them then.

If it wasn’t so sad it would be laughable.

The barristers were getting paid unbelievable amounts of money for doing very little. They flounced around in their wigs and gowns and negotiated settlements to save them fighting for justice.

I learned that going to court was the last place to seek justice.

It is as corrupt an establishment as so many closed organisations are in the world that puts greed first. The people in charge looked down on us with glee and rubbed their hands in anticipation of their fees.

I don’t know the ins and outs of the case but I have a feeling that if a person was driven to steal a £10 pair of jeans she needed help. Not a prison sentence. Shame on you Piers!

As for robbery … the law society has got away with daylight robbery for a long time. That is between you and your peers.