Re: Riots
 

Yup but as has already been said they won't serve 4 years or anything like that so the bill won't be £160k. We have to set against the costs of justice, the massive costs of current and future rioting, looting, arson etc. if the sentences being handed down now aren't a serious deterrent.

Hehe yes,i have heard the phrase "Criminals are stupid" 100s of times :D

Re: Riots
 

That will get you 3 months:D

Re: Riots
 

Unless it hit a judge, in which case you get life.

Re: Riots
 

Looks like normal service is resuming. :(

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...ester-14589259

Ah well decent sentences were nice while they lasted.

Re: Riots
 

Don't give disproportional sentences and then they are less likely to be successfully appealed. I don't imagine a prison sentence is usually given for handling stolen goods, especially not a term of 5 months. If they gave a fine and community service (as well as the fact they would have have a criminal record) then that's punishment and a contribution to society which exceeds the damage they did.

Re: Riots
 

Which won't be paid.

Which won't get done and even if by some miracle they do turn up it only involves a few hours standing around smoking or looking for jobs or training courses on the internet.

Re: Riots
 

Well if they don't pay for fine or serve the community service then hold them in contempt (or whatever law there is) and then chuck them in Jail. Prison shouldn't be the first resort for relatively minor crimes. :shrug:

Re: Riots
 

I sometimes wonder how people like you manage to carry on doing your job and knowing that in many cases the resulting punishments will not fit the crime and may even turn out to be non-existant.

:tu: to you matey!

Re: Riots
 

Looks like Common Sense is prevailing at last. :tu:

Re: Riots
 

Balls. The riots ended because a: There were more cops on the street and the gloves came off and b: It was raining heavily.

The main reason they haven't flared up again IMO is it was widely broadcast that taking part meant jail. No community service, no pointless fine, no suspended sentence but a good long spell inside.

If the current sentencing policy for riots reverts back to jail being the exception then expect far more outbreaks of disorder in the coming months and years.

Re: Riots
 

She didn't take part in the looting or the riots. She accepted an item of clothing which she knew had been stolen in the riots by someone else. Still against the law but not worthy of 5 months inside a Prison cell.

Re: Riots
 

No no Derek. this was about the woman who was given a pair of stolen shorts and was sentenced to 5 months in jail. she's just been freed because the sentence was ridiculous.

Re: Riots
 

I'd rather all those who were violent,caused damage,set fire to any property and assaulted the public and police got the long custodial sentences and those who profited second hand got the proportional sentencing their crime usually deserves.:erm:

Re: Riots
 

I've stated several times in this thread that I have absolutely no problem with those actually taking part in the riots/looting going to prison. Sure, it is unacceptable behaviour and needs to be dealt with and deterred. However, I previously listed this case as an example of where a prison sentence seems over the top because this woman was asleep when the looting took place.

Yes, looting = prison. No problem whatsoever.

I had a problem with this case as well as the exorbitant sentences handed down for some instances of inciting (4 years when nothing actually happened e.g.). I expect that sentence to be reduced as well, particularly as I read the other day that another person who called for a coop (or something like that) to be torched, only had to write a letter of apology.

I have never suggested that prison was not appropriate for actual looters.

Oh, and I hope this moron receives a lengthy prison spell as well.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/au...tudent-custody