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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that killing 6 children - should have a longer sentence!

145 replies

Whiteday · 15/11/2023 16:28

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-67427340

An absolute disgrace!

OP posts:
VanityDiesHard · 15/11/2023 17:12

JellyMops · 15/11/2023 17:05

I actually think our sentences are too long and not enough (any) money is spent on rehabilitation. What does locking someone up for life achieve except a massive bill for tax payers? If they are not a danger get them out there earning money and paying tax. I see that as a better way of paying their debt to society, by repaying the actual money spent! It's not as if it works as a deterrent, the countries with the shortest prison sentences also have the least crime.

I don't agree entirely. I sort of do, in that I think that non violent crimes shouldn't carry a custodial sentence, and that rape and murder should routinely attract whole life tarriffs.

UndertheCedartree · 15/11/2023 17:14

Whiteday · 15/11/2023 16:54

@Flickersy so I can't have a conversation about my thoughts? Unless I do as you dictate? Give over, it's a topic of conversation.

I don't need to do anything!

But if you're not prepared to do anything about it - does it really mean that much to you? I mean it's fine ranting on here but it's not going to make any difference.

UndertheCedartree · 15/11/2023 17:16

JellyMops · 15/11/2023 17:05

I actually think our sentences are too long and not enough (any) money is spent on rehabilitation. What does locking someone up for life achieve except a massive bill for tax payers? If they are not a danger get them out there earning money and paying tax. I see that as a better way of paying their debt to society, by repaying the actual money spent! It's not as if it works as a deterrent, the countries with the shortest prison sentences also have the least crime.

I completely agree. Many/most prison sentences are just pointless. And often do more harm than good.

Original poster
Whiteday · 15/11/2023 17:19

@UndertheCedartree I can still rant! Lots of people do on AIBU. Do you say that to everyone?

OP posts:
JellyMops · 15/11/2023 17:20

Whiteday · 15/11/2023 17:09

For some crimes maybe, for killing six children I don't agree.

Show quote history

I can understand why you feel like that but I firmly believe that the criminal justice system should be based on rehabilitation, not vengeance.

backtowinter · 15/11/2023 17:21

JellyMops · 15/11/2023 17:05

I actually think our sentences are too long and not enough (any) money is spent on rehabilitation. What does locking someone up for life achieve except a massive bill for tax payers? If they are not a danger get them out there earning money and paying tax. I see that as a better way of paying their debt to society, by repaying the actual money spent! It's not as if it works as a deterrent, the countries with the shortest prison sentences also have the least crime.

This is very true

It's a difficult balance between punishment and rehabilitation

LakeTiticaca · 15/11/2023 17:22

They clearly didn't intend to kill those poor children but unfortunately the lack of brain cells made them think they would easily be able to get the kids out.
Glad Mairead is out though, she was also a victim of the vile piece of excrement that is Mick Philpott

MrsMiddleMother · 15/11/2023 17:22

I agree OP, it's shocking how low the sentences they got, 6 children died ffs and anyone who had an part in their deaths should spend the rest of their day's in prison. But I get that's not 'how the sentencing works'. The people of Derby will never forgive or forget.

AuntieJoyce · 15/11/2023 17:22

It's not as if it works as a deterrent, the countries with the shortest prison sentences also have the least crime

that’s correlation, not necessarily causation.

tescocreditcard · 15/11/2023 17:23

OP have you been drinking?

Original poster
Whiteday · 15/11/2023 17:24

MrsMiddleMother · 15/11/2023 17:22

I agree OP, it's shocking how low the sentences they got, 6 children died ffs and anyone who had an part in their deaths should spend the rest of their day's in prison. But I get that's not 'how the sentencing works'. The people of Derby will never forgive or forget.

Totally!

OP posts:
ManateeFair · 15/11/2023 17:28

All court cases are extremely complicated. The aggravating and mitigating factors, the motive, and the precise role played by each person, in comparison to the others involved, all affect sentencing. Paul Mosley and Mairead Philpott were deemed to have played a lesser role in the crime than Mick Philpott, so Mick Philpott got life and Mairead Philpott (who was released three years ago, FYI) and Mosley got a lesser sentence.

Unless you were actually in the court room to hear the full details of the case and the aggravating and mitigating factors. You can't base a justice system on kneejerk reactions to headlines.

Original poster
Whiteday · 15/11/2023 17:33

tescocreditcard · 15/11/2023 17:23

OP have you been drinking?

Yes! I had a cappuccino around 3 pm.

OP posts:
MrsSchrute · 15/11/2023 17:34

JellyMops · 15/11/2023 17:05

I actually think our sentences are too long and not enough (any) money is spent on rehabilitation. What does locking someone up for life achieve except a massive bill for tax payers? If they are not a danger get them out there earning money and paying tax. I see that as a better way of paying their debt to society, by repaying the actual money spent! It's not as if it works as a deterrent, the countries with the shortest prison sentences also have the least crime.

Totally agree.
Posts like this are never about the conversation though, they're all about who can be the most outraged.

MumblesParty · 15/11/2023 17:36

JellyMops · 15/11/2023 17:05

I actually think our sentences are too long and not enough (any) money is spent on rehabilitation. What does locking someone up for life achieve except a massive bill for tax payers? If they are not a danger get them out there earning money and paying tax. I see that as a better way of paying their debt to society, by repaying the actual money spent! It's not as if it works as a deterrent, the countries with the shortest prison sentences also have the least crime.

What job would you suggest for someone who murdered 6 children? Needs to be a good enough job to pay some tax. I worry about the moral compass of someone who can do that, so I'm not sure what role I'd want them to be in. Certainly nothing that involved dealing with the public or having any kind of power to inflict harm, directly or indirectly. Suggestions please

ilovesooty · 15/11/2023 17:39

MrsSchrute · 15/11/2023 17:34

Totally agree.
Posts like this are never about the conversation though, they're all about who can be the most outraged.

Show quote history

They always attract people praying for vigilante retribution too.

caringcarer · 15/11/2023 17:40

Well I agree with a death sentence for murder, especially of a child, let alone more. We are way too soft in this country. I don't think it's fair he lives after taking others lives.

caringcarer · 15/11/2023 17:41

JellyMops · 15/11/2023 17:05

I actually think our sentences are too long and not enough (any) money is spent on rehabilitation. What does locking someone up for life achieve except a massive bill for tax payers? If they are not a danger get them out there earning money and paying tax. I see that as a better way of paying their debt to society, by repaying the actual money spent! It's not as if it works as a deterrent, the countries with the shortest prison sentences also have the least crime.

People like the scumbag who killed James Bulger was given a new identity, let out and given a second chance. He just reoffended.

tuvamoodyson · 15/11/2023 17:44

Whiteday · 15/11/2023 17:33

Yes! I had a cappuccino around 3 pm.

Show quote history

Then don’t have any more….

x2boys · 15/11/2023 17:49

LakeTiticaca · 15/11/2023 17:22

They clearly didn't intend to kill those poor children but unfortunately the lack of brain cells made them think they would easily be able to get the kids out.
Glad Mairead is out though, she was also a victim of the vile piece of excrement that is Mick Philpott

I agree they didn't intend to.kill.the children ,but Mick was a dangerous mix of very arrogant and not very intelligent
I think Mariead,is culpable though
Yes she might have been under Micks,influence but she knew what she was doing .

WhereIsBebèsChambre · 15/11/2023 17:50

Whiteday · 15/11/2023 17:09

For some crimes maybe, for killing six children I don't agree.

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Agree. They planned to put their children and other people at risk in the 'rescue' that was required.
Got themselves out and left their children behind.

AbondonedThemePark · 15/11/2023 17:52

I don't really see the point in keeping him in prison. He didn't deliberately murder six children, he was an idiot who went along with an idiotic scheme and spent ten years in prison because the consequences of his idiocy were that six children lost their lives.

He's obviously still an idiot as he broke his parole conditions and ended up back inside.

x2boys · 15/11/2023 17:53

WhereIsBebèsChambre · 15/11/2023 17:50

Agree. They planned to put their children and other people at risk in the 'rescue' that was required.
Got themselves out and left their children behind.

Show quote history

Mick.was stupid enough to.think.he could "rescue " them and be a big hero
In reality they never stood a chance .

JellyMops · 15/11/2023 17:54

MumblesParty · 15/11/2023 17:36

What job would you suggest for someone who murdered 6 children? Needs to be a good enough job to pay some tax. I worry about the moral compass of someone who can do that, so I'm not sure what role I'd want them to be in. Certainly nothing that involved dealing with the public or having any kind of power to inflict harm, directly or indirectly. Suggestions please

Show quote history

Someone who murdered 6 children and was now rehabilitated and no risk to the public could do many jobs, so why couldn't this man who accidentally killed 6 children?

JellyMops · 15/11/2023 17:57

caringcarer · 15/11/2023 17:41

People like the scumbag who killed James Bulger was given a new identity, let out and given a second chance. He just reoffended.

Show quote history

But the other one didn't. He now lives a quiet, law abiding life.