Underclass - You Get What You Pay For

From birth :

"She was last seen by officials four days before she died of severe blood poisoning caused by a dirty nappy in March 2003.

A friend of Pickering said: 'She's still on smack. She's using two tenner bags a day.

'When she told me she was expecting twins I couldn't believe it.

'I knew her baby had died but she didn't say anything about neglect.'

Two of 27-year-old Pickering's other children are looked after by her parents while another was adopted."

Once again social workers have done a great job.

"Social workers and health officials visited Alex 28 times in 11 weeks.

The baby was on the child protection register from birth."

"South Lanarkshire Council social work chiefs and health officials say they have already conducted an internal review which clears them of blame over Alex's death."

Mary Pickering obviously don't need no piece of paper from the City Hall.

Pickering lives with her latest partner at a council flat in Rutherglen, near Glasgow. Pickering was living in Larkhall with her then partner at the time of Alex's death.

Till (someone else's) death.

"A burglar who beat up a terminally ill pensioner has been jailed for life.
Cancer sufferer Mary Richardson, 81, died without ever leaving hospital after being battered by Barry Alderson in her home in North Tyneside.

The 24-year-old heroin addict admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and burglary last July.

A post-mortem examination showed how his victim died of pneumonia three months after the break-in.

The court also heard how the pensioner who was only 4ft 11in and weighed just six stone, suffered severe head injuries including a fractured skull and broken nose in the attack."

Don't worry though - the courts will protect you. Look at that life sentence.

Alderson, of Felton Close, Shiremoor, will serve at least three years and nine months before he can apply for parole, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Three years and nine months. He'll be 27 or 28. That'll teach him.