The non-lawyer lay-person blessed with common sense rather than legal training can sometimes be forgiven for thinking that the operation of the law is ass-like.

Without understanding the legal basis for decision-making that goes on in the courtroom, the outcome can seem at odds with peoples’ natural feelings of justice.

Yesterday’s decision by the the Lord Chief Justice to grant mercy and free a father jailed for attacking an armed burglar is one decision of “true exceptionality” likely to be welcomed by most Britains.

Whatever the technicalities of the judgement, rightly so we say.