Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
News
Original poster

This make sme dizzy and sick, why so short a jail term? It's upsetting stuff

39 replies

treedelivery · 19/01/2009 20:07

this page

I wondered if legal types could shed light on this.

This is an act of utter barbaric torture and the pack of animals who filmed this seem to have had no real punishment, and the 3 who did seem [to me] to have been given woefully short terms.

I can't honestly say that if that girl were a friend/relative/child of mine I wouldn't undertake some sort of revenge for this attack. I feel justice has not been done.

Am I being reactionary, or do others feel sick to their core. This should be put over billboards to remind this smug society just how low people can stoop and how we all have a responsibilty to fight back.

OP posts:
pagwatch · 19/01/2009 20:14

well it may just be me but I have an increasing suspicion that attacks against people with SN or LDs are viewed less seriously.
I have believed this for quite a while and it horrifies me as my son has profound SN .

I remember one of the attackers in the case where that poor girl was raped, tortured and killed in Reading had a previous conviction for attacking ayoung boy with SN. That too invloved an element of torture yet he did not recive any jail time.

These cases are without doubt my worst nightmre. My son is so totally trusting and so totally vulnerable.

Pan · 19/01/2009 20:16

there are so many aggravating features to this incident I am really shocked at the paltry sentences.
1.planned
2.length of ordeal
3.Group episode
4.Filming it
5.Age of victim
6.Particular vulnerability of victim
7.Additional torure with a skin poison.

The only mitigation must be the ages of the assailants, but even that must be tempered by the savageness of their actions.

I was expecting Life Sentences. 9 years and less seems an utter outrage.

Pan · 19/01/2009 20:17

and the reported smirks in court are unbearable.

3littlefrogs · 19/01/2009 20:19

There is another thread on this in this section (in case you hadn't seen it). There has been a suggestion of a petition.

lunavix · 19/01/2009 20:20

What is going on with the community too?

Hulababy · 19/01/2009 20:21

I dont thinkt he courts see attacks on people with SN less seriously. Certainly I have known people in prison (in a work capacity) who have offences against people with SN who were given more severe sentences because their victims were more vunerable.

I have no idea why the sentences in this case were low or if they are, indeed, in line with other cases. Sadly I don;t think rape often gets a vey high sentence. It ought to but my experience is that it often doesn't. Also how people plead, any remorse they show afterwards and any mitigating factors are taken into consideration by the courts when sentencing.

It would also appear that the wider community did not help and hampered police investigations. This may mean that the police, and thus the courts, did not have enough information to be able to take this even further with more forms of offences, which may have held higher possible sentencing.

I find the lack of community support/help for the police investigation in this case the most sad part of this report

Original poster
treedelivery · 19/01/2009 20:23

I suppose I'll have this used against me in court should the day come, but if this happened to my child I really do think I'd...well. And I wouldn't apologise or beg for leniancy at my trial either. I'd stand up and be coounted as the woman who believed the world is surely better off without these 'people'

If what you say is true re:SN [and I am guessing with this society that it is] then I think I would like to go live on an island now.

Thanks for your replies - I kind of felt like howling at the moon iyswim?

OP posts:
Hulababy · 19/01/2009 20:23

I found this on average sentences for rape:

What is the maximum sentence?

The maximum sentence for rape is life imprisonment.

What is the average sentence?

This varies widely. The average sentence seems to be around four years although we do know of many cases where this was much less.

LoveMyLapTop · 19/01/2009 20:23

Awful
and like Hula said the lack of support from the community

3littlefrogs · 19/01/2009 20:25

In that case, hulababy, they should have got life.

JaneLumley · 19/01/2009 20:26

Well, I'm being reactionary too, because it made me very sick inside, and one of them only got 6 years because he'd also been nabbed for robbery.

Original poster
treedelivery · 19/01/2009 20:33

BASTARDS!!!!

Can you iomagine being the mother of one of those things? I'm torturing myself I guess but good God what is the matter with people?

OP posts:
Hulababy · 19/01/2009 20:34

Yes, I agree - I would have thought a longer sentence would be mor eappropriate.

However I don;t know ALL the case facts, and what other factors had to be taken into account, by the judge, when passing the sentences. This is all quite stringent, and certain things do have to be taken into account and reduce a possible sentence. I remember Cod used to be able to answer those types of queries more fully.

Original poster
treedelivery · 19/01/2009 20:40

Which must be the challenge of being a judge as I cannot concieve of a circumstance that I could in morality apply to these men. I guess judges have to and that is their challenge.

OP posts:
mysterymoniker · 19/01/2009 20:46

I heard this on the radio tonight and for the first time I wanted to weep at the leniency of those sentences - usually these things wash over me but something about this case, ugh, very distressing

the comments about the defendants sniggering as the girl testified made me feel physically sick

mysterymoniker · 19/01/2009 20:47

(I did a pgdl btw but can't shed any light, sorry)

mysterymoniker · 19/01/2009 20:48

(they'll be out in a couple of years once you factor in time served on remand)

Almeida · 19/01/2009 21:07

Hula - what type of facts could possibly give them so little time in prison for what they've done? They should be put away for life & life should mean life.

EBenes · 19/01/2009 21:10

I'm also shocked by the length of sentence. They have destroyed her life, and caused her GBH which carries the possibility of life sentence, I believe.

Heated · 19/01/2009 21:11

I was stunned at the leniency. Where is this petition?

ladymariner · 19/01/2009 21:15

Personally, I think hanging is too good for them. They are pure evil.
I too cried when I pictured that poor girl having to give evidence whilst they and their cronies sniggered and smirked at her, what must she have gone through. And I really don't care if this upsets people but if she was my child I wouldn't rest till I had proper justice for her.

rubyslippers · 19/01/2009 21:16

i agree - i heard this on the news and i couldn't believe it

I hope that an appeal is lodged

they are animals - the police officer on the radio was describing how they were laughing and smirking as the girl gave evidence

ilovemydogandMrObama · 19/01/2009 21:18

Tree Delivery Please return to the fuzzy Real Nappy Thread. Your baby is overdue. Do not watch the news except for PRESIDENT OBAMA being sworn in tomorrow!

Am soooo proud to be American...

Hulababy · 19/01/2009 21:19

I have no idea what factors.

Original poster
treedelivery · 19/01/2009 21:30

You're right ilovemydog - this is bad for my chakra's!

I was feeling a right drama queen though so thank you to all who have come here to howl at the moon/shout into the wind with me.

We are outraged and we are right

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread