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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Luke McCormick in the papers again

56 replies

Metalguru · 18/10/2014 01:27

Aibu to think he should really be keeping a low profile, not pursuing a career that keeps his name in the press as a constant reminder to the poor parents? Yes, he has served his time. But he drove his car whist twice the drink drive limit and caused the deaths of two boys, just 8 and 10 years old. Shouldn't he be grateful that he has his liberty, and his girlfriend and young son, whilst the parents of the children killed will never be able to experience that again? Instead he seems to have relentlessly pursued his old footballing career, stating "that he has a point to prove" . it may not be national news, but his current footballing career at Plymouth Argyle is in the papers where I live regularly, and tbh, it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Aibu to think he should be thanking his blessings and accepting that his actions mean he loses the right to "prove his point" resurrecting his old career path?

OP posts:
LiquidCosh · 18/10/2014 02:06

I don't know the news story you're referring to OP but if your details are correct then no YADNBU. The parents of those children will be serving their sentences for the rest of their lives thanks to one persons stupid decision to drink and drive.
I don't know what time this particular person served but I think harsher sentences for this type of crime are definitely needed. We need to be sending out a strong message that if you decide to drink drive then you can expect to be put in prison for a long time.

Ir1na · 18/10/2014 02:11

He's done his time IMO, I don't think he's going to encourage other people to drink-drive. More likely the opposite!!

inadarkplace · 18/10/2014 02:20

he has done his time yes but the parents never get to leave their prison do they? they face constant reminders of their tragedy and really what point does he feel he needs to prove?

feathermucker · 18/10/2014 08:34

Having served his time means nothing when the sentence given was way too lenient!!

Yes, he made a 'mistake'! Yes, he's been to jail etc.....

But.....when the victims' families are serving a life sentence, he should be more respectful and keep a lower profile. His 'point' should be how he lives his life, and by seeking celebrity etc, he is distasteful and incredibly disrespectful to the family.

SoggyOldBiscuit · 18/10/2014 08:40

I agree with you. I think he should keep an extremely low profile.

PumpkinsMummy · 18/10/2014 08:43

I've never understood why the sentences for driving offences are so lenient. It is highly publicised and known to everyone that if you drink drive you are MUCH more likely to cause an accident, and while driving a heavy metal object, this is likely to cause serious injury or death.

It is not an accidental death when someone drink drives IMO, they have taken a decision to risk life and limb (theirs and everyone else's on the road) for their own convenience and the sentence for this should be somewhere between manslaughter and murder in my eyes. It is completely avoidable and utterly selfish.

SoggyOldBiscuit · 18/10/2014 08:57

pumpkins - I totally agree with you as well. I also think that when a driver is caught drunk once (even without an accident) then they should lose their licence forever. Why on earth should they get a second chance?

I don't care if it would affect their ability to work in future etc. They took that chance when they decided they were going to drive after drinking.

Selfish fuckwits.

KatieKaye · 18/10/2014 09:19

Another one who is horrified by the leniency of drink driving sentences.
especially those that involve injury or death.
The drunk driver made a decision to drink and drive.
Definitely agree with a substantial custodial term and then driving ban for at least 10 years.
Driving is not a right. If driving is essential to your way of life then you don't drink and drive. Its as simple as that. nobody needs to have a drink.

JerseySpud · 18/10/2014 10:03

I remember when that happened

OP YANBU

SaucyJack · 18/10/2014 10:14

I don't think "doing your time" means jack schitt when you've willfully killed someone else's children. YANBU.

ILovePud · 18/10/2014 10:21

YANBU, this was a terrible case and the sentence was far too lenient.

DesperatelySeekingSedatives · 18/10/2014 10:26

YANBU I remember that accident those poor boys died and their dad IIRC was left with life changing injuries on top of the parents' loss. the sentence was far too lenient and I don't give a shit what point this odious selfish fuckwit has to prove- every time his name comes up it must be like a dagger to heart of all those who loved those boys and miss them forever.

Floundering · 18/10/2014 10:27

Doing your time is not a reason for behaving as if it never happened.

High profile sports people regardless of their club/team are role models for their young fans whether they like it or not, and if they have a criminal record they should not be allowed back in that role. Their skills can be used in other ways but not in the public eye.

The poor family of this gits victim have to live with his actions daily they do not deserve to see him lording all over the papers like some prodigal son.

To me getting into a car while drunk is no different to going out with another weapon in your pocket and should be treated as such.

Meechimoo · 18/10/2014 10:33

I think he should keep an incredibly low profile and spend the rest of his life thinking in detail every single day of those poor poor children he killed because he was selfish enough to drive drunk.

DesperatelySeekingSedatives · 18/10/2014 10:35

totally agree Floundering we all know the dangers of drink driving there is no excuse and the ones who do it anyway deserve much harsher sentences than what they seem to get. he's killed 2 people and ruined the lives of those who loved them most yet has seemingly airbrushed that out of his life and others have allowed him to do so.

I quite like football but it really pisses me off that you can apparently kill people or rape them or anything else and go about your business being hero worshipped once its all blown over and you've served your time. im not saying he should never work again but he shouldn't be in any job where he is idolised.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 18/10/2014 11:01

YANBU. A similar (although different) thing happened here this week. A young woman (23/24 with a child, so old enough to know better) chose to drive drunk & under the influence of drugs and now an 18 year old lad is dead and another critical.

It is more than a mistake & honestly, I think he should have the common decency to keep his name out of the spotlight/newspapers for the families sake.

kiwimumof2boys · 18/10/2014 11:06

It must be awful for the poor parents of the boys to see his name everywhere. Doesn't he have a child of his own now?
How long did he serve? not long enough.
YADNBU

Original poster
Metalguru · 18/10/2014 11:31

I think he got 7 years but he didn't serve it all. I don't think he has been in the national press much, but his career at Plymouth argyle is often in the papers around here and a couple of months ago they made him captain, which was big news. I know he can't change the past, but I think it would gave been more respectful to accept his actions and their consequences should mean he does not get to return to professional football. It makes me uncomfortable how his team mates are always defensively banging on about he has served his time, he made a mistake etc. I remember when he went to prison the incredibly insensitive "handcuffs" celebration his team mates did to show their support for him. I'm not suggesting he should go into hiding, but he now has his girlfriend, a son, health, liberty and IMO a low profile job would be more appropriate in the circumstances.

OP posts:
AbbieHoffmansAfro · 18/10/2014 17:51

I've never understood why the sentences for driving offences are so lenient.

Because in the old days when it was called motor manslaughter and sentences were longer, juries (most of whom were drivers) often wouldn't convict at all. The resistance to criminalising drink driving at all was just massive.

Hence the modest sentencing guidelines. But, the culture has changed and now most people would be happier with longer sentences being imposed.

MrsDeVere · 18/10/2014 18:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

maddy68 · 18/10/2014 18:40

If people cannot be rehabilitated in prison then what's the point. I would rather him earn money and not be a burden on society.

He also has to live with it for the rest of his life with fans shouting murderer (as I witnessed last weekend first hand) what he did was unforgivable but he was a young foolish 19 year old boy. He's done his time

MrsDeVere · 18/10/2014 18:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChuckitintheBucket · 18/10/2014 18:51

Well those poor boys never got to the age of 19 because of this "foolish" man. Words fail me.

LapsedTwentysomething · 18/10/2014 18:51

He wasn't a 19 year old 'boy'. He was a 25 year old man. I demonstrates an appalling lack of humanity, I think, to expect to return to life as it was having caused the deaths of children. Particularly when that life is public. What an ego.

maddy68 · 18/10/2014 19:48

I apologise I read in one report that he was 19.
I still hold that people should where ever possible go back to their jobs after a conviction