Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness yesterday ruled out a new approach to the sentencing of sex offenders.

Mr. Edness said: "It would be something Government would have to consider as policy.

"We have rejected mandatory sentencing before -- we believe the judge or the magistrate should have the ability to decide each case on its own merits.'' Mr. Edness was speaking after women's rights groups demanded a mandatory sentencing policy for sex crimes after what they called the soft sentencing of a 49-year-old man who admitted committing incest with his teenage daughter.

The Jamaican-born man -- who cannot be named for legal reasons -- was jailed for 21 months by Puisne Judge Vincent Meerabux at Supreme Court last week. The maximum sentence for the offence is seven years.

Mr. Edness said: "We have had calls for mandatory sentencing before and we don't agree with them.'' He added: "I sympathise with women who feel this sentence doesn't reflect the seriousness of the offence. I was upset to hear about what this person got for interfering with his daughter.'' But he insisted sentencing had to be left to the judiciary, who could assess each case individually.

Health and Social Services Minister Clarence Terceira -- who is in charge of the prison system -- said it would not be appropriate for him to comment.

He explained he was in charge of boards involved with the treatment of offenders, early release or longer sentencing.

Dr. Terceira said: "I don't think it would be right for me as a Minister to make comment on whether sentences should be tougher or not -- as much as I would like to.'' But Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Renee Webb backed the calls for longer mandatory sentences -- and compulsory treatment.

She said: "Sentences in recent times have definitely been on the light side -- not only should offenders go through prison for an appropriate period, they should also get counselling.

"I really don't think it's acceptable for a man to take advantage of his daughter, any girl or any woman and get a light sentence.

"It sends the wrong message -- that it's fine to abuse a woman's body sexually -- and that's totally unacceptable.

"Heavier mandatory sentencing is something which definitely should be looked at -- there are already mandatory sentences.

"Sentencing is on the light side and we have to look at increasing them to show we are serious and we are not going to tolerate these things.'' WOMEN WOM COURTS CTS