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AIBU?

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Original poster

To see this offender as a “criminal first” as opposed to a child?

155 replies

cofefefela · 19/10/2024 11:53

I was robbed last week by some disgusting male who had been following me, he threatened to kill me, ignored me begging him not to etc. The absolute waste of oxygen’s movements could then be followed as some of my stolen electronics had tracking. This twat not only kept returning to the scene of the crime, he ended up robbing someone else there days later!

He has now been arrested. There’s CCTV footage of him committing the crime so he’s been charged and it’s gone to court. He’s had the audacity to plead not guilty and I found out he’s a youth defendant. There will be a trial next year, and my stolen property has not been recovered.

This has made me annoyed as he’ll likely end up with a slap on the wrist as he’s a “child”, although he had no problem committing such serious crimes repeatedly and showing zero remorse throughout. Aibu? I feel like he should be tried as an adult, he’s a danger to society.

OP posts:
Original poster
cofefefela · 19/10/2024 12:28

Reading the youth sentencing guidelines online has infuriated me. Not only is the maximum punishment significantly different, but then they take into account whether the criminal came from a deprived background or has family issues etc!

FFS, a lot of people including their victims go through the exact same yet don’t turn to a life of crime.

It’s just ironic that as a “youth” he was confident enough to decide to commit multiple robberies in a callous and cruel manner - but now gets his hand held throughout the process and a likely slap on the wrist to make sure he’s okay.

OP posts:
user2848502016 · 19/10/2024 12:28

I can understand how you feel because what happened to you was horrible.
But if he's a child he should be treated as a child, I don't really want to live in a society that throws children in jail with adults!
This child will hopefully get some help and a chance to reform and turn his life around.

AnellaA · 19/10/2024 12:05

Your anger is absolutely a reaction to how horrible this crime was, and how powerless and scared you were .

Can you make an impact statement to the court about how you were in fear of your life? About how he was plausibly threatening to murder you and you have had a huge emotional backlash to it? He didn’t simply say punch you and wave a knife and say “hand over your phone”, he actually threatened to kill you. This crime wasn’t really about robbery - it was about him being able to exert a terrifying violent power over you. He probably loved seeing you so terrified, and threatened you worse because if it.

A youth can look like an adult age 14 upwards, and could easily have overpowered you and stabbed you to death.

Many year ago I witnessed a youth attack a pregnant woman with a hammer, push her over and run off with her handbag. It was utterly terrifying. I ran after him a short way yelling, but there was no one to help so I doubled back to call an ambulance.

I carried a defensive weapon for many years after that - stupid, probably. But I felt so unsafe even in daylight. Even today whenever I see a young man in the street in a hoodie, I will cross over to avoid.

The effect of this crime will stay with you for decades, you will be fearful when you find yourself alone in the street or even a multi storey car park. You will be afraid when you stop the car at a traffic light and realise you forgot to lock the doors.

It doesn’t leave you, the fear.

SleepToad · 19/10/2024 12:02

I agree. You know you are doing wrong from at least the age of 7. Personally anyone over 14 should be treated as if they were an adult and tried and imprisoned (in young offenders institution) for the same periods of time.
Prison needs to be a deterrent. We have young people carrying knives because they know they won't be punished...6 years inside will stop that.

And before anyone accused me of being out of touch with the criminal classes, I have at least 20 friends and 3 uncles who have been to prison

Mrsttcno1 · 19/10/2024 11:55

YABU to think he should be tried as an adult if he is not one, yes. But I do understand why you are frustrated by the situation you are in.