Speeding soldier let off by judge.

frogstamper · 28-04-2010, 02:21

At present soldiers and servicemen/women are rightly getting a very good press on the whole, but in my opinion this judge has gone to far, either we are all equal before the law or we accept a two teir legal system.
Maybe if the guy was doing a little over the limit and with points totted up he'd have lost his license, maybe then, "at a stretch" letting him off would be more understandable, but driving down the M40 at 143mph twice the limit and just getting a Â£400 fine is absolutely wrong.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk...o_Afghanistan/

Flyboy · 28-04-2010, 02:27

This is probably one of the most galling aspects of this case.

Quote:

Edmondson was fined Â£300 and ordered to pay Â£80 costs and a Â£15 surcharge, and had six points endorsed on his licence.

Three hundred and ninety-five pounds, for driving like a maniac and only six points on his licence. I wonder, if it were me and I told the judge that if I couldn't drive my family would starve, I would be let off with just a ticking-off as well.

Sirius · 28-04-2010, 06:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogstamper

At present soldiers and servicemen/women are rightly getting a very good press on the whole, but in my opinion this judge has gone to far, either we are all equal before the law or we accept a two teir legal system.
Maybe if the guy was doing a little over the limit and with points totted up he'd have lost his license, maybe then, "at a stretch" letting him off would be more understandable, but driving down the M40 at 143mph twice the limit and just getting a Â£400 fine is absolutely wrong.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk...o_Afghanistan/

Agreed

The law should be the same for everyone.

Peter_ · 28-04-2010, 07:03

Absolutely pathetic he should have been banned as he knew it was wrong and tough if it lost him his new job, this just sends out the wrong message to people.

Xaccers · 28-04-2010, 07:30

How about armed forces having a seperate driving licence so if they lose their civilian one, they can still at least continue to drive military vehicles when on mission?

Peter_ · 28-04-2010, 09:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

How about armed forces having a seperate driving licence so if they lose their civilian one, they can still at least continue to drive military vehicles when on mission?

If he lost his UK Licence as he should have then he would be prevented from driving on UK soil and we cannot have a second military licence that overrides that as that would be even more of a mockery.

Flyboy · 28-04-2010, 10:00

Maybe I read the OP's article incorrectly, but I am pretty sure he was not a "bomb disposal expert," but a mechanic.

28-04-2010, 10:16

He should have faced the full punishment of the law, which prolly would also have resulted in a Court's Martial (though I have no idea what their charge would have been).

Pierre · 28-04-2010, 10:38

It was the right decision.

Take him out the picture and it's one less person who's willing to risk their life, who would have to be replaced.

One question to the "string him up brigade"

If he was banned, and kicked out the army would you go and take his place in Afghanistan????

No? thought not. ----- I know I wouldn't

peanut · 28-04-2010, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre

It was the right decision.

Take him out the picture and it's one less person who's willing to risk their life, who would have to be replaced.

One question to the "string him up brigade"

If he was banned, and kicked out the army would you go and take his place in Afghanistan????

No? thought not. ----- I know I wouldn't

So you prefer a tier system based on who you are etc. Regardless of the law etc, you believe some people should be beyond the law is that correct?

Flyboy · 28-04-2010, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl of Bronze

He should have faced the full punishment of the law, which prolly would also have resulted in a Court's Martial (though I have no idea what their charge would have been).

Conduct unbecoming, bring the name of the service into disrepute or making oneself unavailable for duty, perhaps?

28-04-2010, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

How about armed forces having a seperate driving licence so if they lose their civilian one, they can still at least continue to drive military vehicles when on mission?

I think that makes a degree of sense. It has cost the country a lot of cash to train him and he should still be allowed to drive for the army . As a civvie though he should have lost his licence

frogstamper · 28-04-2010, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre

It was the right decision.

Take him out the picture and it's one less person who's willing to risk their life, who would have to be replaced.

One question to the "string him up brigade"

If he was banned, and kicked out the army would you go and take his place in Afghanistan????

No? thought not. ----- I know I wouldn't

So if you currently do a very risky job your exempt from the law, not a system that I want to live under or I'd imagine many others would.
As regards the "string em up brigade" comment my god thats weak, he should have faced and received a ban like anybody else, or don't we live in a democracy anymore?

Peter_ · 28-04-2010, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre

It was the right decision.

Take him out the picture and it's one less person who's willing to risk their life, who would have to be replaced.

One question to the "string him up brigade"

If he was banned, and kicked out the army would you go and take his place in Afghanistan????

No? thought not. ----- I know I wouldn't

He is a soldier so he can still do his job without a driving licence all it means is that he cannot drive, how many serving soldiers actually drive.

No one is advocating "String him up" that is purely your imagination, the should not be one rule for him and another rule for you.

He broke the law with excessive speed and should not get away with such an outlandish offence.

Flyboy · 28-04-2010, 11:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre

It was the right decision.

Take him out the picture and it's one less person who's willing to risk their life, who would have to be replaced.

One question to the "string him up brigade"

If he was banned, and kicked out the army would you go and take his place in Afghanistan????

No? thought not. ----- I know I wouldn't

I would say that were quite a few mechanics that would take his place.