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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have no sympathy for the burglar

758 replies

Mitmoo · 19/09/2011 09:10

Another burglar has been stabbed to death when he broke into a businessman's home. His wife and child were returning to the property. The details are very scant at the moment as it is early day.

But the burglars who were stabbed robbing a shop, and an edlerly shopkeeper killed one of them, he was not prosecuted. I think that's right.

It's on R5Live now being debated after another burglar was killed at the weekend.

Personally I think home burglars should take getting stabbed as a occupational hazard. I have no sympathy for them.

OP posts:
sand12 · 19/09/2011 17:03

So the Burglar's family will still gain from this selling story!

You should be able to protect your home, burglar's when they do get caught they just get a caution! the law is so wrong you break into some1's home you should be punished.

The burglar's took the weapons into the man's home the law needs to change.

BupcakesandCunting · 19/09/2011 17:03

I don't think that anyone has suggested getting the vol-au-vents and party poppers out, MIFLAW. Just not many people willing to be sympathetic, that's all.

Animation · 19/09/2011 17:04

"This case is about a civilian who either answered his door with a knife of his own, or murdered some daft bastard in a scuffle"

You said 'murder-ed'!

pigletmania · 19/09/2011 17:04

Miflaw I expect that YOU would feel differently about burglars lives if YOU were the one threatened or your family. I expect that you would have no qualms doing what is needed to defend your life if Simons broke into your home with the intention of killing or injuring and robbing you. You have no idea, you should talk to the victims if crime. This was not some movable rogue but a dangerous criminal

BobblyGussets · 19/09/2011 17:05

That's why I said, "if it can be proven". I am all for a fair trial.

strangerintheday · 19/09/2011 17:06

"Trained to do something useful?" PMSL Is he a dog?

"...no evidence he used [the knife] or even planned to use it for anything except to scare someone." Yeah, he was just carrying it around in fact. To slice some cheese to quote someone upthread.
"Looking at it soberly, is this really the best outcome all round that we could have wished for?" Yep.

BupcakesandCunting · 19/09/2011 17:07

No PigletMania, MIFLAW would stop the burglar and do an assessment on what it was exactly he wanted in her home before deciding on the course of action that must be taken.

Wink Grin

(Only pulling your plod, MIFLAW)

pigletmania · 19/09/2011 17:07

If somebody breaks into my house and threatens me, my life is worth more than a burglar. I will protect my own life and my family not of some criminal whose intention is to hurt or rob me

MIFLAW · 19/09/2011 17:08

You're right, I did. I didn't mean to, I'm sorry.

I still don't see what "comfy euphemisms" I have used, though.

And what is true is that the case will be about whether this was murder, manslaughter or self-defence.

And so it is in no way comparable to the case of the British Army.

apologies once again for deciding the outcome in advance.

bemybebe · 19/09/2011 17:09

"Trained to do something useful?"

Miflaw, he was doing something useful. To him.

pigletmania · 19/09/2011 17:10

Then cupcakes by the time she has done her little assessment she may be dead on the floor or her dc's. Sorry to sound harsh but most criminals will not give a shit

MIFLAW · 19/09/2011 17:10

Piglet

There is no evidence that the man's life was in danger. The life of his family certainly wasn't because they were not present.

All there is evidence of is that a man carrying a knife entered the house and appraently planned to burgle it.

BupcakesandCunting · 19/09/2011 17:10

And what of it, after he has been trained to do something useful? You can take a horse to water and all that. He probably didn't want to live a productive life. Some people don't.

Animation · 19/09/2011 17:11

"What "comfy euphemisms" have I used?"

In this thread you have used many - but "daft bastard in a scuffle is one of them."

mayorquimby · 19/09/2011 17:12

"If no pre-meditation then it is manslaughter."

No need for premeditation for murder, just an intention to kill or cause GBH.

BupcakesandCunting · 19/09/2011 17:12

But the family were due to return. Due to return to a house where two pricks with knives had decided to do over. He probably felt like they were under threat. Like I said before, he didn't have the luxury of the time to assess risks.

MIFLAW · 19/09/2011 17:14

" Some people don't." And some people do. and here's a case where we'll never know.

Still waiting for any one of the big talkers to explain to me why prison would not be a suitable solution - except, of course, that prison is dear, in which case, why not instigate the death penalty for all thieves, rather than leave it up to plucky individuals? If death is such a fitting punsihment, why should it be on the conscience of the victim, rather than on all our consciences?

MIFLAW · 19/09/2011 17:15

I've already explained that one. He was a daft bastard and it was a scuffle. Unless you're saying the householder planned to kill him? Or that he was an evil genius?

Any more?

moonstorm · 19/09/2011 17:16

If he hadn't been there, he wouldn't be dead.

I think that answers most arguments.

MIFLAW · 19/09/2011 17:17

"But the family were due to return. Due to return to a house where two pricks with knives had decided to do over. He probably felt like they were under threat. Like I said before, he didn't have the luxury of the time to assess risks."

Do you know what? If my family rerturned home, saw the front door wide open and heard shouting inside, I like to think they'd have the sense not to come in. I'd be more worried about their safety, and my own, if I antagonised the mad fucker with a knife who was in the house with me.

MIFLAW · 19/09/2011 17:17

"If he hadn't been there, he wouldn't be dead.

I think that answers most arguments."

Stephen Fry - is it really you? Thank god you're here!

Whatmeworry · 19/09/2011 17:18

Householder has been freed on bail, BBC opining CPS won't prosecute. can one prosecute burglars family putting flowers up as harassment I wonder?

pigletmania · 19/09/2011 17:18

He armed that's enough and the family came during it all . The fact that the burglar was armed should tell you something

Animation · 19/09/2011 17:19

"He was a daft bastard and it was a scuffle"

That minimises the seriousness of the situation - and the role of the burglar with the knife. It is almost like calling him a scallywag!

JillySnooper · 19/09/2011 17:19

What if the door wasn't open? Hmm? What if the householder was a woman or a weaker man and had been pushed inside and the door shut? What if the wife and child opened the door and walked in?