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This judgment is wrong and should be appealed.

Advocates are entitled - indeed obliged - to make submissions fearlessly in their client's best interests. How can they do this if they now have to look over their shoulders, wondering if they're going to fall foul of the perpetually offended PC brigade.

Counsel said that this girl was not young and innocent (which I interpret as an allegation that she was sexually precocious) and that she was not unaccustomed to drinking. If those allegations are true (and there is no suggestion they aren't) he was entitled to state them and argue that they justify a lesser sentence for his client.

The tribunal in turn is fully entitled to reject those submissions.

Nothing more is required.

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