Students Rioting in London.

Originally Posted by Sparkle

I think it's a bit steep, considering the crimes that many people get suspended sentences for. Everybody has had their moment of foolishness and did stupid things in their life they later regret, myself included. Just as a wise man once said - let he who is without sin, cast the first stone.

Maybe the judge took into consideration the fact that he was blaming drugs for his behaviour ,either way he'll probably be out for the new year

anyway he's nothing special in the clink ,his fame counts for nothing ,he's just another brick in the wall

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by martyh

he's just another brick in the wall

[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.

[Jimmy-J]

Originally Posted by danielf

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.

16 month, well he'll probably serve about 8 month, if that. But it just might prevent others from doing the same thing.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by danielf

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.

Sorry Danielf but l have to disagree with you because if it was me l would have given him 5 years for what he did especially for his total lack of any common decency on the Cenotaph and also for his other disgraceful acts as well.

Originally Posted by denphone

Sorry Danielf but l have to disagree with you because if it was me l would have given him 5 years for what he did especially for his total lack of any common decency on the Cenotaph and also for his other disgraceful acts as well.

It does have to be put in perspective .We see burglars and muggers get community service and yet someone who swings off the cenotaph ,although morally outrageous to decent people a relatively harmless incident get jail time .I think the real issue here is how do we get consistency in sentencing

[denphone]

Originally Posted by martyh

It does have to be put in perspective .We see burglars and muggers get community service and yet someone who swings off the cenotaph ,although morally outrageous to decent people a relatively harmless incident get jail time .I think the real issue here is how do we get consistency in sentencing

Yes l do agree that we should have more consistency in sentencing policy and to do this l believe we need a root and branch reform of the all of the judicial system.

Originally Posted by martyh

It does have to be put in perspective .We see burglars and muggers get community service and yet someone who swings off the cenotaph ,although morally outrageous to decent people a relatively harmless incident get jail time .I think the real issue here is how do we get consistency in sentencing

He was sentenced for violent disorder, not for climbing the Cenotaph.

[Sparkle]

Originally Posted by danielf

Hmm. 16 months in prison... What exactly will that achieve apart from appeasing the public's lust for blood?

It demonstrates yet again, what a backwards little nation we've become. If you're an illegal immigrant, you can run over a girl whilst disqualified and get 4 months in prison. And STILL get to remain in the UK.

You can burn poppies on Armistice Day, and get a £50 fine.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...rch-poppy.html

And you can burn our national flag, the same flag so many gave their lives to defend, and as far as our justice system is concerned, noone bats an eyelid.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...og&sa=N&tab=wi

But yet if a student (especially one from a privileged background) tries to climb up the union jack, then the British public suddenly demands retribution.

I find it interesting that the public want Mr. Gilmour keel-hauled because he climbed the cenotaph, whereas the state wants him keel-hauled because he chucked a plastic bin at one of the Royal escort cars.
And despite the court ruling and everything that has been reported, from most of the comments I've read from readers on the various news outlets, the public seems quite content to pretend that Mr. Gilmour was jailed for climbing the cenotaph.

[Ignitionnet]

Well UKUncut's bunch of excruciatingly middle class trustafarians like to pretend they are working class, in tune with the man on the street. Now dear Charlie gets a chance to get very in tune with the men taken off the street.

EDIT: I love the selective liberalism in the post above and the indignation at the public's ignorance. Ignorance is always fine when it works in one's favour, see the entire premise of the anti-cuts campaign for more.

Originally Posted by Hugh

He was sentenced for violent disorder, not for climbing the Cenotaph.

Which included climbing the cenotaph ,swinging from a union jack kicking a window (not breaking it)and jumping on the bonnet of a jaguar that formed part of the royal escort ,yes i do believe that a jail term is appropriate but are his offences more serious than this piece of **** ?who didn't get jail

I'm not arguing that he shouldn't have got jail ,i'm arguing that other more serious crimes should be punished more vigorously

[Derek]

Originally Posted by danielf

Hmm. 16 months in prison... What exactly will that achieve apart from appeasing the public's lust for blood?

It sends a message. You are allowed to protest but step out of line and we will hammer you.

Originally Posted by Jimmy-J

16 month, well he'll probably serve about 8 month, if that. But it just might prevent others from doing the same thing.

8 months... Aye right, I reckon he'll be out by Xmas.

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

Well UKUncut's bunch of excruciatingly middle class trustafarians like to pretend they are working class, in tune with the man on the street. Now dear Charlie gets a chance to get very in tune with the men taken off the street.

EDIT: I love the selective liberalism in the post above and the indignation at the public's ignorance. Ignorance is always fine when it works in one's favour, see the entire premise of the anti-cuts campaign for more.

Uk uncut is just an excuse for a weekend's fighting and smashing windows.

[Osem]

Somehow I can't see this guy serving more than a couple of months. An appeal will follow, the sentence will be reviewed downwards and 'justice' will go the way it normally does......

Originally Posted by Osem

Somehow I can't see this guy serving more than a couple of months. An appeal will follow, the sentence will be reviewed downwards and 'justice' will go the way it normally does......

He stands a good chance of being successful on appeal because the orignal sentence is not proportional to his crime. I struggle to see what he got that for, looking at what he was charged with there doesn't seem to be anything that warrants a spell in prison. Let alone 16 months.