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Original poster

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

464 replies

Barnbrack · 15/07/2025 19:45

Why are 2 men being given custodial sentences for cutting down a tree when men convicted of rape regularly get suspended sentences.

Is an important tree more important than a random woman! Justice system seems to think so.

OP posts:
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12
CorbyTrouserPress · 15/07/2025 22:07

MarxistMags · 15/07/2025 22:05

I can think of a lot of people more deserving of jail time than them.
I never knew anything about that blasted tree and couldn't care less about it.

So because you didn’t know about the tree they should get away with breaking the law? This makes no sense.

nam3c4ang3 · 15/07/2025 22:06

yeah - its wild isnt it. Im not from here but it absolutely astounds me how lenient the system is here - im my country we have the death penalty.

OonaStubbs · 15/07/2025 22:06

Comparing the sycamore gap tree to "any old tree" is ridiculous. If someone deliberately damaged a painting of dogs playing snooker in a pub, they'd get fined. If they deliberately damaged the Mona Lisa they'd get a very harsh sentence, and rightfully so.

MarxistMags · 15/07/2025 22:05

I can think of a lot of people more deserving of jail time than them.
I never knew anything about that blasted tree and couldn't care less about it.

Thingyfanding · 15/07/2025 22:03

Emotionalsupporthamster · 15/07/2025 21:41

By this logic no tree should ever be cut down, and by that measure of value that tree wouldn’t be any more special than a street sycamore that was planted 150 years ago. In fact it’d be less valuable. Nonsense.

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my earlier point was that it’s subjective. Some would argue that trees are more important than humans. We produce CO2 where as trees absorb large quantities of it.
trees are essential to the existence of our planet and the ecosystem- humans are not. 4 years is the right sentence.
Trying to compare it to a rape case is just bonkers

KaleQueen · 15/07/2025 22:03

Barnbrack · 15/07/2025 21:34

Yes it is

That's essentially my point
.the level of disproportion is mind boggling.

What does it say about how society views the suffering of rape victims?

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I don’t think it says anything.
I think it’s been long known that the justice system in this country is fucked up.
Today, it wasn’t. They got a prison sentence. It’ll be reduced. It’ll be in a category D. They pose no huge risk to people. But that sentence was needed for many reasons.
We could talk for decades about the unfairness of our justice system. Personally I’d like to see rapists cut in half with chainsaws. I’d happily watch.
But no matter how angry you feel about injustice in that area of the system (which o totally agree with) you can’t really compare this case.

OonaStubbs · 15/07/2025 22:02

Prisons are far too soft. And there are free playstations. And prisoners do get a choice of food, and that is all free too. Law-abiders have to pay for food and games consoles whereas law-breakers get it all for free.

SL2924 · 15/07/2025 22:01

No sympathy for them. They deserved it. Some people just want to watch the world burn.

That’s not to say that there also shouldn’t be tougher sentences for rapists.

Serencwtch · 15/07/2025 22:01

Barnbrack · 15/07/2025 21:13

Three men handed suspended sentences for sexual offences against underage girl groomed over social media | Greater Manchester Police https://share.google/ayZH6FsBsT0FntpR3

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There are no rape convictions in this case.

Agree that it is an insanely light sentence for appalling acts on very young children but there was no conviction for rape in this case.

Yes there are wider issues with the rate of conviction for rape but it is incorrect to state that they were found guilty or convicted of rape.

Kemblick · 15/07/2025 22:00

TeenagersAngst · 15/07/2025 21:46

You and your husband should be more livid about your lack of critical thinking.

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😂

CinnamonBuns67 · 15/07/2025 21:58

Just because rapists don't get the sentences they should doesn't mean we shouldn't punish people who do "lesser" crimes.

I agree that justice system is ridiculous and there needs to be reform where rapists should be getting harsher punishments but I also think the people who cut their tree deserve their 4 years in prison. I personally think rapists/child molesters should get a life sentence.

CorbyTrouserPress · 15/07/2025 21:58

TheCrenchinglyMcQuaffenBrothers · 15/07/2025 21:52

….

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Scottish law is different to English law. I assumed we were discussing English law as the Sycamore Gap criminals were convicted in an English Court. Do you have an example of an adult convicted of rape in England getting a suspended sentence?

KaleQueen · 15/07/2025 21:57

@YouWillFindMeInTheGarden because you asked ‘what’s a soft prison?’

SunnyViper · 15/07/2025 21:57

What bs. No one gets a suspended sentence for rape.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 15/07/2025 21:56

FightingFish · 15/07/2025 19:54

4 years is extremely harsh. These idiots should be punished but not locked up. I actually feel sorry for them.

They will do a third of their sentence. They got away lightly.

YouWillFindMeInTheGarden · 15/07/2025 21:55

KaleQueen · 15/07/2025 21:54

Are you aware there are different categories of prisons?

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Yes I am. why?

YouWillFindMeInTheGarden · 15/07/2025 21:55

Americano75 · 15/07/2025 21:51

No they don't. They are housed separately from mainstream prisoners.

Edited to add in Scotland at least.

Edited
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How do you know that ?

KaleQueen · 15/07/2025 21:54

YouWillFindMeInTheGarden · 15/07/2025 21:32

What’s a ‘soft prison’?

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Are you aware there are different categories of prisons?

TeenagersAngst · 15/07/2025 21:52

Barnbrack · 15/07/2025 21:47

I can see, I'm being facetious

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So is it ‘just a tree’ or not ‘just a tree’? Or do you not know what the word facetious means?

TheCrenchinglyMcQuaffenBrothers · 15/07/2025 21:52

CorbyTrouserPress · 15/07/2025 21:26

Although he was a man when when convicted, he was a minor when the crime was committed and the sentencing guidelines regarding minors is different. Do you have an example of a man at the time of the crime being given a suspended sentence for rape?

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….

4 yrs for cutting down tree, no jail time for rape
Americano75 · 15/07/2025 21:51

YouWillFindMeInTheGarden · 15/07/2025 20:50

Sex offenders have their own prisons. So nobody is taking places

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No they don't. They are housed separately from mainstream prisoners.

Edited to add in Scotland at least.

SockFluffInTheBath · 15/07/2025 21:48

I do wonder about sentencing guidelines. Kill the 3 passengers in your car through careless driving- 2 years (local accident). Chop down a pretty tree- 4 years.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 15/07/2025 21:47

FightingFish · 15/07/2025 19:54

4 years is extremely harsh. These idiots should be punished but not locked up. I actually feel sorry for them.

Why?

KaleQueen · 15/07/2025 21:47

Cheese55 · 15/07/2025 21:42

4 years means 2 years, 2 years means early release. They'll be out in less than 12 months. Even the judge said only 40% should be in actual prison. A low tariff crime like this means they won't be subject to many restrictions when out. So it's not long at all.

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And that’s the law. She’s applied the law. She gave the maximum sentence. And they’re not dangerous and they’re unlikely to reoffend.

Original poster
Barnbrack · 15/07/2025 21:47

TeenagersAngst · 15/07/2025 21:30

It’s clear you just cannot see what others are seeing OP. Do you actually believe that the Sycamore Gap tree is directly comparable with a random tree at the end of your street?

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I can see, I'm being facetious

OP posts: