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Home Secretary under fire

Last Modified: 26 Jan 2007
By: Cathy Newman

John Reid has been criticised after a judge failed to jail a convicted sex offender.

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A serial paedophile who a judge has warned will be going to prison once he has been sentenced is tonight free on bail.

Speaking at Exeter Crown Court, Judge Graham Cottle said he had to release Keith Morris because of 'difficulties in remanding people in custody'.

And he added that if the case had been heard last week, Mr Morris would be in Exeter prison by now.

It is more evidence of the confusion apparently caused in courts across England and Wales by the Home Secretary John Reid's recent letter reminding judges and magistrates that in many cases prison is not their only option.

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