Vicky Pryce is guilty

[UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea]

"I don't know why the judge is so sure that she went along with it willingly."
Because the decides of fact (the jury) found that to be the case
It's not the judge to decide on matters of fact, he is there to be the decider of law

I've noticed they are always patronising, harsh and telepathic towards women!

*deciders

Well I think they are equally as culpable.
He did the offense, asked her to take the points, she willingly did so.
It was her desire to destroy him that led to this and although I imagine she was in a terrible place when he left her, her vengeance was extreme and she and their family have paid the price.

She didn't say she didn't do it though, she was using a defence which is very subjective - she may have genuinely thought that what she experienced was coercion (or at the very least pressurised). It wouldn't have helped seeing the e-mails which showed her & Oakeshott discussing it beforehand.

I do think that he is more culpable - he was the one who benefitted more from it.

Well at least both of them will be about in time for Christmas with the kids....

...in a parallel world and justice system, making them see out their sentence in the same cell would have been the only fitting punishment.

They'll only serve half that, and probably get a further month off for good behaviour.

They'll be out in 3.

Terrible for their kids.

Also the crime would never have come to light had Vicky not brought it up. Am surprised that Huhne did not get longer.

He would have got slightly longer, but for a 10% reduction for pleading guilty at the last possible moment.

It is about right.
Not happy with the judge's words about her - "controlling, manipulative and devious?. I doubt he would have applied to to a man and she was the one being manipulated by Huhne when he presented her with the form to sign.

Anyway the true winner to VP because she has the children and Huhne through his misconduct maritally has made a huge hash of things. I hope VP can continue her career once she is out and earn a lot more than him in future.

From the moment she let one of her kids know that there was talk of aborting him I lost all sympathy. To use that fact as a weapon was despicable.And now their poor kids have both parents in jail. Pity they can't make them share a cell for 24 hours as extra punishment!

I think Pryce will get public sympathy, thanks to the judge's misogynistic remarks!

I doubt her career will be badly affected by this, whereas his, is finished - as is any hope of reconciliation with his children.

8 months unless they misbehave in jail will automatically be 4 months for good behaviour so in time for summer holidays

I think the judge thinks they both agreed to do this in happier times for both of them that the perversion of justice was a joint plot and would never have come out if relationship had not gone wrong

when pryce went to papers not police and seemed intent in rewriting history to paint ex in worst light possible,I think that would have swayed judge the her primary motivation was harming ex not justice

the fact that huhne committed the initial offence is only marginally relevant as case is for perverting course of justice the speeding is what caused the second crime but speeding is not on trial

corny, she is NOT as guilty as him. He committed way more crimes than she did. I am truly appalled they've received the same sentence. I hope her team appeals.

"Also the crime would never have come to light had Vicky not brought it up"
But she didn't do it to own up or admit her guilt so she doesn't get any credit for this fact. She wanted to bring it to light but avoid any semblance of responsibility for it.
Then when charged ran a full trial so there's very little to argue in mitigation as to remorse or admitting guilt and facing the music.
Any barrister would have been advising that if we go to trial and are unsuccessful you'll get caned come sentencing.
If you plead guilty we can argue in mitigation and hopefully you'll get a result.

I agree - very misogynist remarks.

Is she being jailed for perverting the course of justice, or for attempting to manipulate the press? From the judge's comments, it is the latter. If manipulating the press is an offence, surely CT should be in the dock?

'I hope VP can continue her career once she is out and earn a lot more than him in future.'

Agree Xenia. Good luck to her.

Sarah, the fact that he committed the speeding, demonstrates he had more to gain from perverting the course of justice. There is an argument that VP would gain through covering up for her husband, but her licence wasn't on the line, his was.

beryl, exactly my thoughts. That was exactly my fear last week with the press frenzy surrounding her trial. CH knew exactly what he was doing when he pleaded guilty at the 11th hour.

If VP appeals, can she appeal the finding of guilt, as well as the sentence? How long does an appeal take to process? Would she be out anyway?

'when pryce went to papers not police'
'But she didn't do it to own up or admit her guilt so she doesn't get any credit for this fact. She wanted to bring it to light but avoid any semblance of responsibility for it.'

you are right, sarahtigh and mayorquimby, good points

They both committed perjury.
So the same sentance surely?
The jury rejected her plea of coercion.
I don't feel sorry for either of them.
But I do feel sorry for their kids.

you can not without new evidence etc appeal the verdict only sentence generally

Beryl he had more to gain from the perjury but if it was a joint plot and the judge seems to think so hence almost equal sentences as equally guilty of perjury not equally guilty of speeding (which was not on trial)
huhne would have got ever so slightly longer had he not pleaded guilty in last minute, if pryce had pleaded guilty I think she would have got much shorter sentence

Yes, I have always maintained that she should have gone to the police and reported it. It would have had the same effect (if revenge is the goal) but would have perhaps provided more legal protection for her.

I agree with Beryl about him having more to gain - you could say she was doing a kindness to her husband. Though I suppose some people might say she didn't fancy driving him around for six months either.