Burrows calls for DPP to consider Unduly Lenient Sentence Mechanism in Bluestone abuse case

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA has written to the Director of Public Prosecutions asking that the sentence imposed on Ciara Corvan be considered under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Mechanism.

Mr Burrows said:

“The deliberate mistreatment of vulnerable patients entrusted to the care of professionals is among the most serious breaches of trust imaginable. This offending was premeditated, repeated and intentional. The fact that the abuse was recorded and shared on social media for entertainment makes it even more degrading and disturbing.

“As this was the first prosecution of its kind in Northern Ireland, it is important that the right sentencing benchmark is established.

“Our justice system must properly balance rehabilitation with punishment, deterrence and public protection. In cases involving the deliberate abuse of vulnerable people in care, the courts must send a clear message that such offending will attract the strongest possible justice response. That is why I have asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider referring this sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Mechanism.

In my view offending of this nature deserves a custodial sentence - not community service and probation.