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What's the best way to monitor sex offenders?

Graham Stewart takes your calls on Peter Tobin, who's been given a life sentence for Vicky Hamilton's murder; and Should lone parents be forced into work?

Convicted killer and sex offender Peter Tobin has been given a life sentence of 30 years for the murder of Falkirk schoolgirl Vicky Hamilton. We can now reveal that Tobin was also the man who killed Polish student Angelika Kluk. He now faces a third trial for murder and is the prime suspect for more than 40 others. So why is he able to remain at large for as long as he did? Is there any point in having a sex offenders register if it's not more strictly monitored? Should we know the identity of suspected murderers when a warrant is out for their arrest? And do you have faith that other sex offenders won't be able to carry out the history of offences that Tobin has?

Plus: Should parents be forced into work and off benefits?

Almost everyone on benefits should be preparing themselves for work, says a report commissioned by the government. Lone parents with children aged one to seven should sign an action plan to help them return to work, under plans drawn up by welfare expert Paul Gregg. And there would be punishments for all those who do not cooperate, from losing benefits to unpaid community work. Is the government right to get tough, or would these proposals just penalise those who're already facing difficult times?

Graham Stewart takes your calls, texts and emails.

55 minutes

Last on

Wed 3 Dec 2008 09:05

Broadcast

  • Wed 3 Dec 2008 09:05