A former Christian Brother who was found guilty of molesting two children received two one year sentences yesterday. The sentences are to run consecutively so in effect he will serve nothing for one of the convictions. In reality he will actually serve a maximum of six months for what the Judge said had "profound and long-lasting consequences" on the victims. Add to that the offences took place in the 1980's so the man lived most of his life with his reputation intact. Why do perpetrators of sexual offences against children get such lenient sentences in this country and why on earth is age ever taken into account as a mitigating factor?