From Mr R. H. McKeown Sir: Although your leading article
began persuasively, some of the comments are not justified. Even though Mr Hann may be considered innocent, and to have deserved his acquittal, it does not necessarily follow that all accused rapists who are acquitted fall into the same category. The assertion that 93 per cent of the men accused of rape in 2000 were innocent victims of a biased legal system is fallacious. There is no verdict of 'innocent' in the British legal system, simply one of 'not guilty' — for a very good reason. In a case such as rape, where often there is no physical evidence, it should not be surprising that many rapists are acquitted. This is a necessary evil if we do not wish to convict the truly innocent, who make up far fewer than 93 per cent of those who stand trial.
R.H. McKeown
Toronto, Canada
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