[danielf]

Originally Posted by Derek

And now young Charlie Gilmour will be able to read all about what the Cenotaph is and why swinging on one of the flags is a bad idea for the next 16 months.

He blamed his actions on the after effects of an LSD trip plus taking valium and alcohol. Surely trying to blame drugs, either legal or illegal, for your actions should attract a higher sentence as a deterrent for getting wasted and not being in control of your behaviour?

Hmm. 16 months in prison... What exactly will that achieve apart from appeasing the public's lust for blood? I'd say give him a length community service, preferably working with injured soldiers returning from Afghanistan. He surely needs a sort of punishment, but I seriously doubt if prison is the way to go. With all the publicity this has generated, I'm not so sure if the risk of re-offending is that great. I definitely don't think that having him as a guest of HMPS courtesy of the taxpayer will achieve a great deal.