Goudie, I am not sure of the efficacy of suspended sentences. The convict is at ransom to good behaviour but to the observer there is the undeniable feeling that 'he got off'. To future offenders will occur the thought 'if I get caught I won't get sent to prison.'
Only a custodial sentence, duly publicised, will have a deterrent effect. A reduced sentence of course has its own message, one of which is don't presume you would also get a reduced sentence.