Call on sentences

Speaking in support of an Assembly motion he brought forward by Mr Anderson said:

“This motion has been brought because of the deep feelings of outrage felt right across the community at the 14-year sentence handed down to one of those convicted of killing Constable Stephen Carroll. Constable Carroll was a dedicated police officer and a family man, who was shot dead by terrorists in my constituency. I am glad that the Director of Public Prosecutions has referred the case to the Court of Appeal.”

“Those who murder get off far too lightly. When we come to the murder of police officers, the crime somehow seems to be even worse. Police officers are the custodians of the rule of law, they put themselves on the front line against criminals to protect the whole community. That is why the murder of a police officer is greeted with such anger. Such a murder is a direct challenge to the rule of law.”