Nebraska's attorney-general will appeal the sentence as being "far too lenient."
The judge's sentence outraged advocates for child sexual abuse victims. But supporters of short people said it is about time someone recognised the challenges they face.
Richard Thompson, only 1.55 metres tall, had faced up to 10 years in prison after he was convicted of two charges sexually assaulting a minor - the 12-year-old daughter of his fiancee - in Sidney, Nebraska.
This week Cheyenne County District Judge Kristine Cecava told Thompson that his offences warranted a stiff prison sentence but put him on 10 years probation, saying he was too small to survive for very long in a state prison.
Thompson will be electronically monitored during the first four months of his probation, and was told to never be alone with someone under age 18 or date or live with a woman whose children were under 18. Cecava also ordered Thompson to get rid of his pornography.
"This sentence is far too lenient," said Nebraska Attorney-General Jon Bruning Brunin today.
"Anyone who sexually assaults a child deserves to live their life behind bars for awhile."
Marla Sohl, of the Nebraska Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Coalition, said the judge was more concerned for the criminal and his safety in prison than for his victim.
But Joe Mangano, secretary of the New York-based National Organisation of Short Statured Adults, said he agreed that Thompson would face more dangers in prison because of his height.
"He would probably end up being somebody's woman" in prison, said Mangano, herself 1.62 metres tall.
"Then again, after what he did some people might think he would deserve that sort of a fate."
http://www.smh.com.au/news/unusual-tale ... 54545.html
. whatever would have happened to him is nothing compared to what that poor child will have to dealwith the rest of thier live.was the judge high?
