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

But they're going through the same legal system, so the comparison is valid.

Have you ever heard the expression about comparing apples and pears ? The two things are incomparable.

It’s because the tree is “iconic and famous”. I bet if the tree were another protected one but was uglier and out of the way and no one noticed, they wouldn’t even be in court! Sadly that’s also true for the other crime.. if it were some famous person getting whatever done to them then you’d see justice. Conclusion: be good looking and famous

'You should not compare sentences for different types of crime'

Why not! When men sharing child abuse images walk free yet vandals get 4yrs it is impossible not to compare sentences.

What about white collar crime? What punishment do you see that having? Anything financial say

You should not compare sentences for different types of crime. Every crime is different and should attract the punishment as defined in Sentencing Guidelines.

If it is thought a specific sentence has been incorrectly calculated then there is the option of appeal.

Sentencing Guidelines are frequently reviewed and the public can feed into the reviews. If you don’t like the Guidelines, lobby to have them reviewed and changed.

It’s absolutely batshit not to give a custodial sentence.

No, the issue is a custodial sentence for vandalism even to a nice tree is absolutely batshit.

Surely the issue is that violent criminals should get longer sentences not that these should get shorter?

Yes I can see all of that and agree what they did to this lovely tree was mindless vandalism and they of course should have been punished. Not with a 4yr custodial sentence when our prisons are bursting at the seams and others walk free for far, far worse crimes.

I couldn’t agree more.
They are scuzzy pricks who deserve the punishment. The issue shouldn’t be that rapists potentially get less time in prison for a more severe crime. There is no need to compare. Rapists should be sentenced accordingly, as were these two. Perhaps the sentencing guidelines for rapists should be reviewed.

Plus, it all feeds into the sense that nothing matters any more, oh fuck it, it’s only a tree, oh it’s only a piece of litter lobbed from the car, oh it’s only a fag but stubbed out on the ground, oh it’s only a couple of doughnuts they stole from greggs.

It does matter, else society carries on circling the drain even more then it is now. The pair of them are dicks. Hope they have a shit time in prison.

It was a 150 year old tree which some think was iconic and is now irreplaceable. To those saying it was “just a tree” it was a tree with history and in a setting where people enjoyed taking pictures of it, it was a back drop for proposals, wedding photos and also a place where people scattered ashes. It was for everyone to enjoy. It’s really sad that people think these things don’t matter because it’s “just a tree” I think the sentence they received is the punishment they deserve.

Have you read the sentencing transcript?

This!

Well yes damage to a historical wall is bad as is cutting down the tree, both bad. It's the 4yrs custodial sentence that is ridiculous when actual violent criminals get sent on their way.

They caused damage to Hadrian’s Wall. Maybe read up a bit on the actual crime before making your of so insightful comments.

I think Hadrian’s Wall is an important historical monument 🤦‍♀️ They damaged the wall when they cut down the tree.

Have you read the sentencing transcript because yes it is about proportionate and comparative and it sets out exactly how the sentence is that

It’s about being proportionate and comparative.

men don’t get prison sentences for having the very worst category of child sex abuse images. Almost always.

its a tree. Its loss has caused to any individual a small amount of possible distress. They could have been required tonrepay

I know. It blows my mind the way some people are seeking to trivialise it.

'Important historical monument'. It was a tree. A very nice tree, but not a monument by any stretch.

The time should fit the crime and once again this doesn't. It was vandalism, far far worse things go on and folk get an ankle tag and community hours.

Can't get my head around the sympathizers.

Ten of thousands of damage (coming oit of a charity's pocket, including thousands of damage to a UNESCO World Heritage site (the wall itself), premeditated, all for a laugh, and lied and denied all the way through the proceedings.

And people think they should maybe have to do a little gardening? Unreal.

Well presumably you don’t live on a world heritage site and they didn’t do any damage to an important historical monument?

One seems to have previous convictions for domestic violence (battery)

The national trust has already spent £30,000 making the site safe!