4 yrs for cutting down tree, no jail time for rape

That’s not an answer.

No, you're just flailing and, to deflect from your dimwittery, are insinuating that other people are somehow rape apopologists or supporters.

Pretty disgusting for you to use rape victims like that.

I’ve been raped, and the trauma still affects me but I’ve found deep comfort and healing in nature. Trees, in particular, bring me peace - touching one can help calm my nervous system. They’re more than just beautiful; they clean our air and are essential to all life on Earth.
The individuals responsible for cutting down the sycamore tree needed to be held accountable to send a clear message that such acts won’t be tolerated
I fully support the sentence given. It sets an important precedent and raises awareness about the legal protections trees have, like TPOs, which too many people are unaware of. We must treat trees with the respect they deserve.

How do I seem ‘massively upset’ exactly?

No, you mentioned a conviction from the English courts, why would you be comparing that to sentencing guidelines in another country? That makes even less sense. Using your logic you might as well have said ‘is it right that the men who cut down the Sycamore tree got four years whereas convicted rapists often get stoned to death’

Totally batshit.

You said rape, not sexual assaults. Don’t twist your bullshit to try and prove a point that isn’t there.

Well I don't think it's either or. I'm glad those men got 4 years.
I'd also like to see more men actually get convicted for the sexual assault and rapes they do.. then actually get proper time for it.

But you felt confident enough to (incorrectly) claim you knew about English sentencing guidelines in your original post? Maybe in future check you are correct before you spout your incorrect bullshit.

why we have half sentences mystifies me.

It is at least partly because society is not prepared to build, fund, and staff the number of prisons that would be required.

There are about 100,000 people in prison in the UK. That could be very easily doubled if sentences weren't halved, and trebled if the courts worked better, and if some community sentences became custodial (sometimes I gasp when I see violent offenders getting 120 hours or whatever of graveyard gardening or whatever it is they do). But it would come at a phenomenal cost. Keeping someone in prison costs about £45,000 per year. So an extra 200,000 prisoners would be £9 billion. It's also not clear where the 50,000 or so prison officers that you'd need would come from - it's probably not many people's first choice of job.

At some point we need to face up to the fact that there are a hell of a lot of criminals out there. Over 12 million UK residents have a criminal record (about a third of men and 10% of women) and probably a million of those have been in prison at some stage. The UK already has one of the highest incarceration rates in Europe.

A wall?

I think you meant "just a pile of rocks" (like Stonehenge).

🙄

I’m not saying that because obviously it isn’t true, but I was trying to show how much value the tree might have. As a pp said, it was a much loved tree where people scattered ashes of their loved ones. It was more than just a tree.

Don’t fucking start with that shit. I’m not downplaying anything so don’t start with the baseless accusations. I’m pointing out that your original post stating rapists regularly get suspended sentences is utter horseshit.

Priorities, priorities. It’s a beautiful tree. Women are as beautiful as a tree but we can’t possibly send the men who rape them to gaol.

Councils are always chopping down beautiful trees. I say….send them all to gaol too. Let’s fill the prisons with tree killers!!!!

This.

Incorrect. Go read judges remarks.

YABU. 4 years for felling that tree was reasonable imo - the judge must have believed they knew exactly what they were doing and what they were destroying. It needed to be a deterrent against others knowingly destroying ancient monuments.

But I do agree that rapists should get far far longer than 4 years, it’s appalling and makes me feel sick that many don’t, let alone suspended sentences 😡 But I don’t think we can equate the two. Yes, rape and sexual crimes can be notoriously hard to prosecute/prove but people also seem to get ridiculously low sentences for other violent life-altering crimes like GBH too - it’s sadly just the terrible state of the justice system which too often seems to prioritise the offenders mental health and background over the victims imo.

Maybe the focus needs to be on voting for parties that say they will create more prison spaces, so every criminal - whether destroyer of ancient monuments or violent thug or rapist has a better chance of getting a longer sentence 🤷‍♀️