Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Gary Glitter freed “automatically”!!

93 replies

Sep200024 · 03/02/2023 12:38

What is this all about, now?

BBC article about Gary Glitter being released from prison today.

It states in the article that he was sentenced to 16 years, but has now been freed “automatically” after serving half that?!?

What on earth is the point of the sentence if it is “automatically” halved?!?!

I don’t understand this, and I’m also wondering how many other child sex offenders this applies to that maybe don’t get the same level of publicity as Gary Glitter.

Gary Glitter freed “automatically”!!
OP posts:
Greenshake · 03/02/2023 21:14

There is a lot of info out there on sentencing and it can be quite complex. It also ties into when the offence was committed, if there is any previous and so forth. I know it’s not the most fun day out, but everyone is free to go to their local Crown Court, sit in the gallery and listen to why the Judge arrives at the conclusion they do.

Original poster
Sep200024 · 03/02/2023 21:18

MrsTerryPratchett · 03/02/2023 21:12

There's so much ignorance around! No, no offenders should serve all of their sentence inside. There are two main reasons, with many other as well.

First, it makes prisons safer. Because offenders have something to lose if they misbehave inside. Including for guards, whose job is very difficult.

Second, it makes us safer. Being out on licence means monitoring and the ability to recall to prison if they breach. Giving professionals the chance to assess risk.

This thinking that people who know nothing about offending, the system or psychology is dangerous. It's too easy for the powers that be to instigate policies to appease idiots and cause more offending in the process. So much law and order policy is based on ignorance.

Show quote history

Well, if this is the case, then sentences obviously need to be much longer.

How does this explanation justify 8 years for multiple rapes and attacks on children? Or 5 years for torturing baby to the point of both legs being amputated?

OP posts:
Greenshake · 03/02/2023 21:20

I imagine that these sentences may have been concurrent, which I don’t agree with.

HRTQueen · 03/02/2023 21:26

MrsTerryPratchett · 03/02/2023 21:12

There's so much ignorance around! No, no offenders should serve all of their sentence inside. There are two main reasons, with many other as well.

First, it makes prisons safer. Because offenders have something to lose if they misbehave inside. Including for guards, whose job is very difficult.

Second, it makes us safer. Being out on licence means monitoring and the ability to recall to prison if they breach. Giving professionals the chance to assess risk.

This thinking that people who know nothing about offending, the system or psychology is dangerous. It's too easy for the powers that be to instigate policies to appease idiots and cause more offending in the process. So much law and order policy is based on ignorance.

Show quote history

Repeat sex offenders have already proved that they have decided to reoffend

you can only monitor someone living in the community to a degree. By their nature they are manipulative and dishonest

the risk of managing repeat sex offenders in prison is something that needs to worked on because this risk is safer for society

Greenshake · 03/02/2023 21:28

@HRTQueen I don’t understand your last sentence?

MrsTerryPratchett · 03/02/2023 21:28

I don't disagree that sentences should be longer. That brings its own challenges but I do agree.

But serving half with 'good behaviour' is absolutely appropriate.

I worked with offenders leaving prison and the general public were safer for a gradual reintroduction.

HRTQueen · 03/02/2023 21:30

the risk of managing repeat sex offenders in prison is something that needs to BE worked on because this risk is safer for society

sorry added the be …

SpaceshiptoMars · 03/02/2023 21:31

He is 78. Most kids can run faster than he can. Fortunately.

Greenshake · 03/02/2023 21:34

HRTQueen · 03/02/2023 21:30

the risk of managing repeat sex offenders in prison is something that needs to BE worked on because this risk is safer for society

sorry added the be …

Ah, thank you. The thing is, if we are going to imprison people for longer, it needs to be purposeful. Having someone locked in a cell day in, day out makes it much harder to manage them when they come out. It’s worth questioning whether we send people to custody FOR punishment or AS punishment.

scrivette · 03/02/2023 21:35

I agree that it's good that they will be monitored once they are out and understand the reasoning but then the sentences should be longer in the first place.

HRTQueen · 03/02/2023 21:35

We are talking about a repeat sex offender

you know from working with offenders that many learn the art of knowing what to say those that don’t (often they have learning difficulties) end up serving longer sentences

many want to move on but sex offenders are of a very different mindset to drug dealers or those that have got caught up in fraud/gangs/a physical confrontation has led to their sentences

They will always be a danger to society only 24hr monitoring these people keep the public safe from them

Original poster
Sep200024 · 03/02/2023 21:38

HRTQueen · 03/02/2023 21:35

We are talking about a repeat sex offender

you know from working with offenders that many learn the art of knowing what to say those that don’t (often they have learning difficulties) end up serving longer sentences

many want to move on but sex offenders are of a very different mindset to drug dealers or those that have got caught up in fraud/gangs/a physical confrontation has led to their sentences

They will always be a danger to society only 24hr monitoring these people keep the public safe from them

Yes. I don’t see where the rehabilitation argument and serve half your sentence outside thing fits in at all for sex offenders.

OP posts:
HRTQueen · 03/02/2023 21:42

There is no rehabilitation for repeat sex offenders this is who they are

its about managing risk and there are limits as to what can be done

Greenshake · 03/02/2023 21:45

It is just not practical or possible to monitor sex offenders 24/7. As for not seeing why they too come out on licence, the alternative is that there is no supervision at all. On top of that, a huge amount of people convicted of sexual offences don’t actually get a custodial sentence.

Original poster
Sep200024 · 03/02/2023 21:55

Greenshake · 03/02/2023 21:45

It is just not practical or possible to monitor sex offenders 24/7. As for not seeing why they too come out on licence, the alternative is that there is no supervision at all. On top of that, a huge amount of people convicted of sexual offences don’t actually get a custodial sentence.

Surely the alternative is at least longer sentences?

OP posts:
HRTQueen · 03/02/2023 21:56

Yes longer sentences and no early release for repeat offenders

Greenshake · 03/02/2023 22:00

You don’t need to convince me 🙂 but as I say, it needs to have purpose.

MrsTerryPratchett · 03/02/2023 22:26

Greenshake · 03/02/2023 21:45

It is just not practical or possible to monitor sex offenders 24/7. As for not seeing why they too come out on licence, the alternative is that there is no supervision at all. On top of that, a huge amount of people convicted of sexual offences don’t actually get a custodial sentence.

The vast majority never have a conversation with a police officer. It's massively underreported and much more widespread than people want to admit.

Much more important is protecting and safeguarding children and reducing the access dangerous men (mostly) have to women and children.

Unfortunately every time you mention risk and safeguarding some idiot on here tells you 'innocent until proven guilty'. Which is a steaming pile of crap where sex offending is concerned.

Essentially trust no one!

StellaGibson2022 · 03/02/2023 22:33

pavinganeweoadtowalkon · 03/02/2023 13:44

I have a few friends who have 'served time'. Non for violent crimes or crimes against women or children (they wouldn't be my friends in that case obv).
One was drug smuggling/dealing and he served a longer sentence in prison than GG. 12 years. Then another 9 years on licence. This was in the 90s. His wife, my friend, did six months in Holloway for money laundering connected to her husbands conviction.
One was convicted of theft (stupid idiot ran raided atm cash machines). He served a few years in prison but was out on day release a couple of years into his sentence. Then out completely, on licence.
Good to say, both have turned their lives around and are living normal lives with their families, earning an honest living.
Sex /violent offenders should be treated differently imo

Interesting post.

So as long as drug dealer/smugglers aren’t violent you are happy to be friends with them?

Drugs have just as much of a damaging effect on children, people and communities.

Illegal drug smuggling/dealing does actually involve much sexual
exploitation/abuse and people trafficking (a high percentage of whom are children and women and thereby victims).

Please educate yourself and possibly choose better friends and acquaintances.

hennaoj · 03/02/2023 22:59

Sep200024 · 03/02/2023 21:55

Surely the alternative is at least longer sentences?

Show quote history

Just shoot them, cheaper and easier. Chop their hands off. Or stick them on a random inescapable island together.

MrsTerryPratchett · 03/02/2023 23:11

I wish we could have this conversation as adults without all the hyperbole and ignorance.

I'd like to see sexual offending, particularly against children, reduced. Hang 'em flog 'em doesn't work.

Greenshake · 03/02/2023 23:14

@MrsTerryPratchett I agree with you, it’s a conversation that definitely needs to take place. Unfortunately, these sorts of comments always pop up and derail the whole thing.

Hellsmovie · 04/02/2023 22:05

Hes only 3 miles osh from where I live

Hellsmovie · 04/02/2023 22:10

Oddly enough there is 2 or 3 schools within a mile or so from the "rehabilitation" centre for people like him

Greenshake · 04/02/2023 22:17

It’s not a ‘rehabilitation centre’. It will be a managed approved premises.