By Steve Bargeton, political editor

MSPS YESTERDAY called for the views of young people to be taken into account on sentencing policy after a heartfelt plea by Fife schoolchildren.

Modern studies pupils from St Columba’s RC High School in Dunfermline petitioned the Scottish Parliament urging politicians to ensure the punishment fits the crime. They were outraged at the three-year prison sentence handed out to a man for assaulting children.

Their petition, backed by 1400 signatures, read, “We, the undersigned are appalled at the three-year custodial sentence given to a prisoner who was found guilty of assaulting children, which we believe, does not reflect the severity of that crime.

“The petitioners therefore request that the Scottish Parliament urges the Scottish Executive to carry out an investigation into the sentencing policy on violent crime in Scotland.”

Sarah Ner (14) told MSPs on the parliament’s public petitions committee, “Young people lack the protection they need in Scotland.

“There isn’t a lot of consultation with young people about the law and more needs to be done.”

MSPs agreed. They decided to write to the new Sentencing Commission chaired by Lord MacLean, urging him to “seriously consider how they hear the voice of young people.”

Two members, Linda Fabiani and Mike Watson, suggested a youth member be appointed to the commission, which includes representatives of the judiciary, lawyers, police, local authorities, and victims and offenders groups.

The Fife youngsters received the support of committee convener Michael McMahon.

“We believe that at some stage young people should have their voice heard, in whatever way the commission sees fit to hear it,” he said.

“The committee’s recommendation would be that they seriously consider how they hear the voice of young people in respect of sentencing policy.”

Mr McMahon thanked the St Columba’s pupils for raising the matter at parliament and said he hoped it would encourage other to make their views known to MSPs.

“I hope that it sends out a signal to a lot more young people that the public petitions committee listens to young people and that we take very seriously and we take forward the issues that you bring to the committee,” he said.

Sarah Ner, classmate Raylene Ford (14) and principal modern studies teacher Keith Thomas spent nearly half an hour at the committee.

Mr Thomas praised his pupils, telling MSPs that youngsters were “not all neds and hooligans.”

He said, “We as a school are very proud that these youngsters have taken up this issue.

“It does show the social conscience that many of our youngsters in modern Scotland have—they are not all neds and hooligans. They have an awareness of wider issues in Scottish communities.”