Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#1
The horrendous level of knife crime continues...over the past week there has been a considerable lack of the spirit of goodwill despite it being Christmas.. as every day we see awful reports on our News programmes about the latest fatal or near fatal stabbing..
This one here below is local.......
James Larkin (36) of High Street, Deal, has appeared before magistrates in Folkestone charged with the attempted murder of Graeme Beechey (35) in Deal on Boxing Day. He appeared in court yesterday (28 December) and was remanded in custody.
Mr Beechey is in a critical but stable condition in hospital after he was allegedly stabbed during an incident in Western Road in Deal. Police were called at 10.30pm.
A 47-year-old Deal woman, who was arrested on suspicion of assault has been released on bail until 26 January 2012 pending further police investigation.
Anyone who has information about the incident is urged to contact Kent Police on 01227 868278 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
#2
I do wonder whether such 'hyperbole' will encourage or discourage the adoption of (near) lethal defensive arming?
I find myself asking if the weapon was carried for defence or offence or picked up around and about the scene of the event, whether folded or sheathe or table or kitchen, shop/internet bought or handed down/lying around the home. whether readied prior to the 'row' or drawn during, brandished or spur-of-the-moment?
It's not all questions, questions, questions with me though.
How about whether, instead of abandoning the dark streets to the thugs, more use could be made of the camera function of the ubiquitous mobile-phone and that such become the general brandishment of something entirely defensive?
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
#3
I agree Paul this is one area of crime that seems to be out of control, after the more recent heartbreaking national newspaper main stories of boxing day in London its tragic that people feel they must carry such weapons i do worry with all this gang culture being a mum to soon two lads what it will be like in years to come more sad that it does seem to be spreading thoughout ages and areas.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#4
at the end of the day a knife is still a knife whether it is a kitchen type or one intended to do personal damage to someone.
we were promised by the last government that knife crime would result in an automatic custodial sentence, not true and the current lot are carrying on the same way.
i don't know the full circumstances of the incident in deal i am just talking generally.
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
#5
The sad reality is the likeliest outcome, irrespective of the reason for carrying one, is that if you are armed with a knife you will end up using it.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#6
That is the whole point Ross and why severe punishment for those found carrying a knife is essential.
Howard is right that Labour said anyone carrying a knife would get a custodial sentence - which never came about before and not much has changed, if anything.
Roger
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#7
I think this is probably trickier to implement in law than is suspected, otherwise Im sure the various governments would have introduced a solid measure before now. You buy a kitchen knife in M&S and on the way home you would be carrying an illegal weapon and subjected to the law. I suspect its areas like this that are prohibiting movement forward...but most definitely something needs to be done as knife crime is rampant and on the increase.
We saw a new word or new term introduced to our vocabulary yesterday..the police used the term "Hate Crime" in relation to the shooting of the Indian student. I would suggest the real term should be "Race Crime" but to use the word race may have been inflamatory..but surely thats what it was. Killed because he looked different. Dreadful. A gun was used in this crime. Just one amongst the recent flurry of barbarous knifings.
#8
Other Hate crimes exist, though, so the term is useful. People are targeted because of disability or sexuality, equally vile.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#9
i can never see the point of labelling offences as "hate" crimes.
a crime is a crime and the punishment should suit the severity of crime, not the reason it is done.
#10
Agreed, but there is a purpose to identifying the crimes committed for social reasons such as prejudice, as they identify potential victim groups or vulnerable groups, and they also lend validity to the perceptions of those victims who otherwise might be ignored.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#11
Whatever the title anyway it is a particularly nasty development in recent times...just killing for the sake of it. Its bad enough in the pursuit of money or some other reason as at least you can see the argument. This particualr crime on this Indian chap is no better than the Norwegian guy who did it on a mass scale. It has the same wanton-ness about it...the same pointlessness.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#12
Also in cases like this the influence of drink or drugs has to be considered.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#13
I agree Peter - drugs can and do make people act violently, but the use of drugs must never diminish the level of sentencing - being shot in the head, has the same result, with or without drugs.
Roger
email: dover7@msn.com