Is this stalking law the most ridiculous ever?

Is this stalking law the most ridiculous ever? | The Daily Telegraph

EXCLUSIVE by Gemma Jones

September 25, 2008 12:00am

A 15-YEAR-OLD girl who was stalked by a stranger had her identity revealed by police who were forced to hand it over to the pervert when he was granted bail.

The teenager told friends she feared for her life in the incident on Tuesday, which is one of a staggering spate of attempted child abductions around Sydney in recent weeks.

The young woman's alleged attacker, a 27-year-old man from Greystanes, had no idea who she was. But within hours of his arrest at Rooty Hill, in Sydney's west, he was free on police bail and had her name handed to him on a charge sheet. Now, only a bail condition ordering the man to stay away from the distressed girl is protecting her.

Police said their hands were tied as they were following laws designed to speed the passage of criminals through court. (Vote in our poll, and tell us what you think below).

Victims groups say the extraordinary system is making thousands of victims of random crimes vulnerable to their attackers as they wait for their case to come up in court.

Police too slow to act on abductions

Howard Brown from the Victims of Crime Assistance League said: "I know exactly how she would feel, she would be wanting to dig herself into a hole where she feels completely safe, now she is going to be scared for her life." Carol Ronken from Bravehearts said: "That is putting that child so at risk, I am appalled, it is horrific."