ECHO voters voice "shock" over prison sentence given to woman who tricked friend into sex using fake penis

ECHO readers have voted overwhelmingly against the eight year jail sentence given to a woman who posed as a man to trick her female friend into having sex with her.

Gayle Newland, 25, of Willaston, Neston, was jailed for eight years today after being found guilty of three counts of sexual assault.

Newland tricked her female friend into sex using a fake penis over a two year period.

An overwhelming 86% of readers who voted in an online poll said the length of sentence was “too high”.

A mere 2% thought the prison term was “too low” and just over 10% thought Judge Roger Dutton imposed a sentence that they agreed with.

Scores of readers have posted their opinions about the sentence, which left Newland reeling and having to be carried to the cells, suggesting paedophiles and heroin dealers spend less time behind bars.

An overwhelming 86 per cent of pollsters said they thought Gayle Newland’s eight year prison sentence was “too high”

Carolyn Hunter posted: “The judicial system and sentencing seriously need to be reviewed, even if you didn’t know the bizarre facts of this case and just looked at it as a female who committed a sexual offence, her sentence is still excessive when compared to a male who committed a first time sexual offence.

“Although I’m not even certain this case should have ever come to court.”

Gemma Hills wrote: “I was a juror on a murder trial and they only got five years for manslaughter. Doesn’t make sense our justice system.”

Mark Rowland said: “Eight years is beyond belief.” He added he hoped the sentence will be reduced if and when it is appealed.

Melissa Mensah thought today’s sentence was “very harsh”. She said: “Men seem to get much less for rape and even manslaughter cases get less.”

Sallyann Lawrenson said: “No matter what you think of this story that sentence is shocking.”

Gayle Newland jailed for 8 years

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/