Prime Minister Gaston Browne has fired back at five regional associations of women judges, accusing them of defending judicial independence while ignoring public outrage over lenient sentences for violent and repeat offenders.

In a lengthy Facebook response on Monday, Browne stood by his criticism of the judiciary and demanded sentences that better reflect the seriousness of firearm, sexual and drug-related crimes.

“Give proportional sentences instead of your inadequate, weak-kneed sentences that have resulted in an unmanageable increase in the repeat offenders population,” Browne said.

He argued that repeat offenders are destabilising Caribbean communities, terrorising citizens and undermining regional development.

“Your singular concern about your judicial independence is misguided,” he wrote. “Your ‘independence’ doesn’t put you beyond reproach and make you unaccountable to the people you serve.”

The Prime Minister said judicial independence does not give judges the right to exercise their sentencing discretion in favour of criminals who commit heinous offences or disregard Parliament’s desire for tougher penalties.

Browne maintained that he was not seeking to influence any particular case but was challenging what he described as a broken judicial system requiring urgent reform.

“I respect the separation of powers,” he said. “However, where your weak sentencing is trespassing on the domain of the Parliament and, by extension, the people’s desire to see more proportional sentencing of repeat offenders involved in heinous sex and firearms crimes, I have every right to ‘blaze’ members of the judiciary.”

Browne questioned how the judges would react if a five-year-old girl were raped by a 50-year-old man, contracted herpes and the offender received three years in prison after pleading guilty.

He also cited cases in which people convicted of armed robbery allegedly received 18-month sentences and repeat drug and firearm offenders served between 18 months and two years.

“They need longer sentences to disrupt the sustainability of their ongoing narco business,” he said.

The Prime Minister described the associations’ condemnation of “the Rasta Dreadman,” referring to himself as “Gassy Dread,” as “moronic” and vowed to continue speaking on behalf of the public.

“Until such time as you address public concerns about your perverse sentencing against hardened criminals, you will continue to hear from me on behalf of the people,” he said.

Browne also warned any corrupt judicial officers to take his threats seriously, saying appropriate action would follow if credible evidence of misconduct emerged.

“I speak on behalf of the people without fear or favour. I said what I said and I stand by it,” he declared.

He urged judges to leave their “secured ivory towers,” show greater empathy for victims and accept that the justice system needs reform.

“The safety of our respective countries and our peoples is paramount and takes priority over your so-called ‘independence,’” Browne concluded.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: PM Browne to Women Judges’ Groups: Address ‘Weak-Kneed’ Sentences, Not Just Judicial Independence.