£1k fine for attack on a 17 year-old girl

Except that’s not what the article actually says @MargaritaPie - in fact it says more than once that the relevant medical experts concluded she wasn’t responsible for his death. Once using the judge’s statement O’Hara was not responsible: Judge Sophie McKone told O'Hara: "Mr Turner has since died but I make it absolutely clear that you bear no responsibility for that. There is evidence from two experts, a pathologist and a neuro-pathologist, who concluded that your actions did not contribute to his death.” O’Hara wasn’t simply randomly not charged with Turner’s manslaughter (or indeed murder, the investigation that was originally opened)/convicted of it but then given an absurdly light sentence.

The article very clearly states O'Hara was given a six-month suspended custodial sentence, a six-month 7pm to 6am curfew and 20 days' rehabilitation. Presumably the hope is to effect a behavioural change such that this remains her only offence; rather than immediately jumping to the most punitive option the justice system allows for.

Did you not read the article; or did you just hope that none of us would? Or are you imbued with such astonishing confidence you believe you know better than the neurologist, neuro-pathologist, CPS & presiding judge? (Some heady combination of the three?)

I assume he was under 18, which the article is very careful not to say despite being full of ‘the 17yo girl… ‘ that doesn’t make it ok but lighter sentencing for minors is certainly pretty standard.

Hmm it’s not a bad idea. However she is only 10! I think DH and I have the same worry which is that it’s unfair that she can’t just be a trusting 10yo. But then that’s life. Obviously we tell her all the things you need to know - you must never ever go with someone you don’t know, you must never ever get in anyone’s car etc. And theoretically she knows this stuff. However, in a real life situation? Say if someone seemed elderly or disabled or needed her help? I don’t think she would have the sense. But maybe that comes with age and she’ll have more of a sense when she’s in her teens. I certainly hope so although I feel sad that she will need to reconsider her gentle and trusting nature.

@Kanaloa Given her trusting nature have you ever considered enrolling her in a self--defence course?

A young woman punched a 58 year old man killing him. Her sentence was a 6 month curfew 7pm-6am.

The motive was apparently she was drunk and demanded he apologise for accidentally bumping into her friend, which he refused to do.

www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/baby-faced-teenager-punches-man-6900890

Maybe it's the system in general that needs looked at.

Yes I suppose it is sad. I don’t think it’s as much about my son being male but my daughter is a certain type of child. Obviously we have taught her about how to be as safe as possible but she’s very soft hearted and gentle. Compared to my son who isn’t really as much like this.

But yes unfortunately I feel more worried for her than for my son as they grow in the world. I wish I didn’t but I do. Not so much with my younger kids but of course they don’t go out in the world alone at the moment.

But I suppose at 17 there just isn’t much you can do. I was a mum at that age to the worst possible choice of father. If it was one of my kids it would be heart rending but what can you actually do even if you know the relationship is bad and your child will get hurt? Because any strong action might push them further away.

So it’s no longer illegal to attack women, it just costs 1k. Sad.

How on earth do parents try to find the balance between giving teenagers the freedom to fly, spread their wings and embrace the world vs instilling in them that they need to have their wits about them?

This is something DH and I talk about all the time in regards to dd10. She is a lovely girl, very much a mummy and daddy’s girl and a homebody, but she is very naive and trusting. Her brother is one year older and goes to the shop alone, cinema, park etc. I don’t know what I would say if she asked to go to the shop alone. I don’t know what I’ll do when she’s a teen. Hopefully in the next few years she’ll become more street smart but I hate that because her naivety isn’t a bad thing as such.