howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
29 January 2011
14:0890651#1
many of us go on about judges handing out soft sentences, however another side of the story has emerged.
judge julian lambert has slammed "wet" guidelines in sentencing after he gave a burglar community service.
the probation report suggested that 80 hours work would be adequate.
although the report only was to be used as a guideline, the judge pointed out that if had meted out a prison sentence then it was more or less certain it would have been overturned on appeal. interestingly the burglar was caught because of finger print evidence which suggests that he was a repeat offender.
another fact has emerged this week that suggests the criminal justice system is failing.
courts are chasing £1.5 billion in unpaid fines!!!
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
29 January 2011
16:2390655#2
This is a very expensive way of getting nowhere. All the legal rigmarole getting the guy to trial like evidence gathering, legal teams and so on, and at the end of the day a regular offending burglar just walks out.
If burglars know that this is all that will ever happen to them then whats to stop them burglarizing you or me!?
The further sad fact is that their are no prison places nor does the state have any aspiration to increase prison places. The one time arch party of law and order, the Conservatives, appear to have given up this mantle. Government frontbencher Ken Clarke is soft on crime.
29 January 2011
16:4390657#3
I suppose I will have to point out, quietly, that there are many ways to achieve justice and prison is only one of them..............a good tool, but only one of the tools in the box.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
29 January 2011
17:0690670#4
What other tool should there be Bern - for burglary, rape, assault, murder, manslaughter etc.
I do think that financial crimes should not (necessarily) result in prison but the offenders perhaps have their property and/or finances taken away.
So many stories about Community Service makes it a joke; there is no punishment, they get away virtually scot-free.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
29 January 2011
18:2290676#5
i see no alternative to the jug for burglars, the victim of this one is still in shock.
29 January 2011
18:4090678#6
Actually I agree. Major crimes that have major personal individual and corporate impacts need the option of removal from the mainstream as much for the protection of the public as for punishment, but in reality for both. But that also needs to be supported by realistic tools for re-entry to society when the time comes or it defeats the longer term object of stopping them doing it again. That is not only a waste of time it is a waste of money. Investment in this has to be worth it. Not a hand out to crims and ex-crims, but investment in the organisations and individuals who can actually make a difference.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
29 January 2011
18:4990681#7
While shutting someone up in prison does not always seem quite right when it is a minor offence, I do not think 80 hours work seems enough of a punishment for burglary. Two weeks of token punishment during which he can carry on stealing in my opinion is the soft option.
I know it took my daughter a good six months before she could sleep at night after she was broken into while she was asleep, she stayed with us for nearly a month because she refused to be in her own home alone during the day never mind at night.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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29 January 2011
19:0990683#8
It's a vile and under-estimated crime. I can only agree.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
30 January 2011
08:0690712#9
Jean and I were burgled in January last year and it is a real personal attack - your body may not have been assaulted, but in a way, your mind and home certanly have.
I won't go too deeply into the mental state we were in for quite some time, but the tea-leaf came from Albania and lived just round he corner.
He wasn't working, his young wife and baby were here dependant on him and the State.
He got community service, so no effective punishment, other than he pays us a small amount of money each month for a while.
We had to install a burglar alarm, so we could feel comfortable - going out and coming back, but the burglar alarm actually reminds us, everytime we set it, why we do so.
To my mind, he should have been deported back to Albania; all people from overseas who come to live here, should know that they are allowed to stay, on the understanding that if they commit any offences, then back they go - it's the consequence of their actions and until this is done, those that do, will continue to commit crimes because there is no consequence.
Roger
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
30 January 2011
09:2990719#10
Roger, I can guess how you both felt as I know how badly my daughter was affected.
Yes, foreign law breakers should be repatriated when they break our laws but sadly their civil rights seem to be more important that ours.
They can murder, rape, stab, shoot, attack, steal but must be allowed to stay in this country because the same might happen to them if they are sent back to their homeland, sorry but what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander as the saying goes.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
30 January 2011
17:2490746#11
Dead right Jan
Roger
30 January 2011
18:5590768#12
There is a myth that "equality" means treating everyone exactly the same. It doesn't, it means equality of opportunity. People who migrate here, while becoming citizens enables some rights, are fundamentally different to people born here - not racist, not discriminatory, just the way it is. Accepting and chasing citizenship implies a level of responsibility and behaviour - if that bond is broken, the entitlements are lost. Simple.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#13
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#14
he can have a suspended sentence standing on the gallows.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#15
He should have been kept away from the public - the judge and the burglar.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#16
If I am reading this right the deviant in question got a caution for attempted rape of a child and now gets 12 months for downloading child porn.
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/news/sexoffenderstabshimself-40535/Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#17
That is how I read it Howard, a shame his "suicide" attempt failed.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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