A TEENAGE THUG who attacked the home of a Hampshire special constable will not serve a single day in prison for the crime due to a legal loophole.

Judge John Boggis QC said he was frustrated he was unable to pass any sentence on 17-year-old Lance Baistow for his part in the attack on Karen Meadows' home.

Baistow was found guilty along with his friend Alexander Dearden for targeting the special constable after she gave evidence against a friend of theirs in court.

But although Dearden was sentenced to ten months behind bars, Baistow received nothing.

The judge told the court he wanted to give Baistow 20 months but couldn't because the thug was already serving time for another brutal crime when he robbed a 73-year-old OAP of his pension.

Because of a twist in the law Baistow could not be given any sentence at all for the attack.

Judge Boggis said the case highlighted the problem with the law, adding parliament had been made aware of it several years ago but had failed to deal with the situation.

The anomaly has been branded sickening by Miss Meadows, 38, who said she felt let down. She told the Daily Echo how since the attack she has quit as a special constable.

Criticising the law, Judge Boggis said his hands were tied.

Passing no sentence on Baistow he said: "You (Baistow) are plainly out of control and a very dangerous teenager.

"However, a failure by parliament to deal with this anomaly when sentencing juveniles has left my hands effectively tied."

For the full story see today's Spotlight section by clicking 'More News' at the top of this page.