THE anguish and disregard for the feelings of an East Lancashire family still awaiting justice over the killing of their son is quite appalling.

For it is now two years since Maurice and Lilian Benson's son, Howard was found dead with head injuries.

Yet, though his killer has admitted manslaughter, all that time afterwards he has still not been sentenced - and will not be until at least September.

The law is notorious for delay, but this one is as outrageous as it is hurtful to the victim's family.

Home Secretary Jack Straw promises to investigate.

He would do better to order an overhaul of the whole courts system to root out needless delay.

For at issue is not just a matter of administration, but why the too-often-forgotten victims of crime should have their suffering unnecessarily prolonged.

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