Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris
But the Government has not changed sentencing laws. It hasn't even amended guidance so far as I am aware.
You and Marty are applauding the courts, not the government - it is the courts that are handing down sentences, and they are doing it based on precisely the same laws and guidelines that they were using 2 weeks ago, before any riots kicked off.
Nothing has changed.
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Well something has changed. While the Judges will be sentencing according to existing guidelines I don't believe they would handed down these prison terms for the same crimes had they taken place outside of the riots. As I already said this is somewhat good, they should take into account that by participating in these riots they are helping fuel the flames for further disorder. Every one person joining in made it easier for the next to do so.
However I still think they punishments are excessive. I don't see why someone should see the inside of a prison cell for handling stolen goods or 4 years in jail for trying to start a riot via Facebook.