4 yrs for cutting down tree, no jail time for rape

[Barnbrack]

Why are 2 men being given custodial sentences for cutting down a tree when men convicted of rape regularly get suspended sentences.

Is an important tree more important than a random woman! Justice system seems to think so.

This!

Have you read the sentencing transcript?

It was a 150 year old tree which some think was iconic and is now irreplaceable. To those saying it was “just a tree” it was a tree with history and in a setting where people enjoyed taking pictures of it, it was a back drop for proposals, wedding photos and also a place where people scattered ashes. It was for everyone to enjoy. It’s really sad that people think these things don’t matter because it’s “just a tree” I think the sentence they received is the punishment they deserve.

I couldn’t agree more.
They are scuzzy pricks who deserve the punishment. The issue shouldn’t be that rapists potentially get less time in prison for a more severe crime. There is no need to compare. Rapists should be sentenced accordingly, as were these two. Perhaps the sentencing guidelines for rapists should be reviewed.

Plus, it all feeds into the sense that nothing matters any more, oh fuck it, it’s only a tree, oh it’s only a piece of litter lobbed from the car, oh it’s only a fag but stubbed out on the ground, oh it’s only a couple of doughnuts they stole from greggs.

It does matter, else society carries on circling the drain even more then it is now. The pair of them are dicks. Hope they have a shit time in prison.

Yes I can see all of that and agree what they did to this lovely tree was mindless vandalism and they of course should have been punished. Not with a 4yr custodial sentence when our prisons are bursting at the seams and others walk free for far, far worse crimes.

Surely the issue is that violent criminals should get longer sentences not that these should get shorter?

No, the issue is a custodial sentence for vandalism even to a nice tree is absolutely batshit.

It’s absolutely batshit not to give a custodial sentence.

You should not compare sentences for different types of crime. Every crime is different and should attract the punishment as defined in Sentencing Guidelines.

If it is thought a specific sentence has been incorrectly calculated then there is the option of appeal.

Sentencing Guidelines are frequently reviewed and the public can feed into the reviews. If you don’t like the Guidelines, lobby to have them reviewed and changed.

What about white collar crime? What punishment do you see that having? Anything financial say

'You should not compare sentences for different types of crime'

Why not! When men sharing child abuse images walk free yet vandals get 4yrs it is impossible not to compare sentences.

It’s because the tree is “iconic and famous”. I bet if the tree were another protected one but was uglier and out of the way and no one noticed, they wouldn’t even be in court! Sadly that’s also true for the other crime.. if it were some famous person getting whatever done to them then you’d see justice. Conclusion: be good looking and famous

Have you ever heard the expression about comparing apples and pears ? The two things are incomparable.

But they're going through the same legal system, so the comparison is valid.

yes and no. They both are tried through the courts (although for damage under £5000) they aren’t but under different legislation

but not only violent offenders have victims are we saying that any white collar crime shouldn’t have a custodial sentence?

and this wasn’t victimless either again have you read about the impact

just because it hasn’t impacted you doesn’t mean it hasn’t financially and emotionally affected others

Exactly that.

Crimes amd their sentences are absolutely comparable. Mindless vandals are not violent criminals so community service would be more appropriate.

I've no idea where they get these judges from.

Again, the damage going to cost a charity about £60,000...

Should doing £60,000 of damage to private property, for a laugh, attract a custodial sentence?

I would assume most people think so? Is it just that they see charities as acceptable victims?

Okay - you and your family are out and about for the day.

Two yobs decide it'd be a laugh to trash your house, and do £60,000 of damage just for the fun of it.

How much community service are you thinking is a suitable punishment?

I posted earlier about what this judge has done? Have you looked it up?

as it happens 10 years was her sentence for rape

This whole thread makes me realise how many don’t understand the legal process and sentencing

In what way?

But that’s obviously not comprable is it

But they of course can be compared in terms of seriousness - that’s the whole point of different sentences for different acts

It was a landmark tree. Saying it was "just a tree" is asinine. By that rationale, someone that blew up buckingham palace or the houses of parliament, should get no harsher sentence than someone who blew up some ruined abandoned shed in the middle of nowhere. Or someone that smashed up the mona lisa should get no harsher sentence than someone who smashed up a cheap watercolour hanging in a pub.