When a prolific predatory paedophile gets his life prison sentence slashed because the judge was deemed too harsh on him, the law really is an ass.

But words fail us when that same judge lets another child sex offender walk free.

Controversial Oxford Judge Julian Hall last night found himself between a rock and a hard place, criticised for being too harsh and too lenient in two separate cases.

Last year Judge Hall sentenced David Cullen to life — with a minimum of 10 years — for a catalogue of sex crimes against young boys.

But in the Court of Appeal the paedophile had his tariff slashed to six years and eight months after it was agreed Judge Hall had failed to take into account his guilty pleas.

In a separate case, 53-year-old sports coach Richard Graves walked free despite being convicted of sexual activity with a child.

One of the reasons Judge Hall gave for passing a supervision order was that Graves has Crohn’s Disease.

One thing is for sure, these appalling sentencing discrepancies just wouldn’t happen in the United States.

Cullen’s crimes were so sick they are unmentionable – no sentence could have been too harsh.

Meanwhile, Graves, who was convicted by a jury of evil deeds against a young boy, escapes prison, in part because of a medical complaint.

It’s enough to make you want to tear your hair out. We would have locked them both up – and thrown away the key.