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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 11:03 AM
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Default Our messed up judicial system

Here is the outcome of the case where the driver embedded an Audi in a house:

Drunk novice driver James Pratt crashed into house

Here is the text of said artcile:

A drunk motorist who crashed into a house during his first time behind the wheel, trapping a family inside, has been given a suspended sentence.

James Pratt crashed the Audi A3 into another car before becoming airborne and hitting the house in Stockton.

At Teesside Crown Court, he admitted aggravated vehicle taking, driving with no insurance or licence and driving with excess alcohol in August.

Pratt, 20, was given an 18-month jail sentence suspended for two years.

Along with a 12-month supervision order, he was told to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, disqualified from driving for two years and will have to take an extended driving test.
Crashed through door

Pratt had taken his aunt's Audi A3 after getting drunk at his brother's 21st birthday party in Stockton.

The speeding car struck the other vehicle, launched into the air and cleared the garden wall before crashing through the front door of the house, blocking the staircase with debris.

Judge George Moorhouse told Pratt, who had no previous convictions: "Clearly drink-driving in these circumstances is unforgiveable, someone could have been killed.

"I am told it is the first occasion you have ever driven a motor car. It might have been the last."

The judge said he made no order for compensation because Pratt had no job or money.

Katie Walker, her partner and her 15-month-old daughter were rescued by firefighters through the bedroom window.
A couple of things annoy me here.

1) Why a suspended jail sentence? What will that teach this ar5ehole? It wasn't like it was an unavoidable accident... he had no licence, stole the vehicle and was over the legal alcohol limit. He could have killed people in that house and yet he is walking around as happy as Larry!

2) The judge makes no order for compensation becuase he can't pay it as he has no job... FFS what a great message that sends out... got no income, do what you like!!!

What happened to all this getting tough on crime that this and the previous government bang on about? More words with no actions!!!!
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by f1_fan

What happened to all this getting tough on crime
Thats just some 'spin' to get votes nothing more.
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 12:22 PM
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Was always going to be.

It always gets my goat how much some ******* can do with seemingly no punishment, yet break an arbitrary speed limit, you AUTOMATICALLY get TWO punishments and go to court, you get FOUR.
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 12:23 PM
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I'd have given him 5 years and told him I was being generous.

dl
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 12:23 PM
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I can see both sides to this, but I think teenagers (or 20 year olds) can do some pretty stupid things. I'm not sure that turning the kid into a 'con' is going to do much for anyone.
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by alcazar
Was always going to be.

It always gets my goat how much some ******* can do with seemingly no punishment, yet break an arbitrary speed limit, you AUTOMATICALLY get TWO punishments and go to court, you get FOUR.

Another case of the law only applying to the tax payer Alcazar.
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by tony de wonderful
I can see both sides to this, but I think teenagers (or 20 year olds) can do some pretty stupid things. I'm not sure that turning the kid into a 'con' is going to do much for anyone.
Equally I'm not sure letting him off virtually scot free is going to do much to prevent him doing it again.
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by f1_fan
Here is the outcome of the case where the driver embedded an Audi in a house:

Drunk novice driver James Pratt crashed into house

Here is the text of said artcile:



A couple of things annoy me here.

1) Why a suspended jail sentence? What will that teach this ar5ehole? It wasn't like it was an unavoidable accident... he had no licence, stole the vehicle and was over the legal alcohol limit. He could have killed people in that house and yet he is walking around as happy as Larry!

2) The judge makes no order for compensation becuase he can't pay it as he has no job... FFS what a great message that sends out... got no income, do what you like!!!

What happened to all this getting tough on crime that this and the previous government bang on about? More words with no actions!!!!
I agree, on the face of it, this is a ridiculously soft sentence

That said one indication of 'tough on crime' is the prison population which rose rapidily for a decade starting from 1998
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 01:42 PM
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Unbelievable sentence, but possibly the max that can be given in the circumstances ?

I would prefer to see a 5 year ban at least - might make said person think about the consequences of their actions ?
I guess the householders insurances pays for the damage to the house ? And the householder get increased premiums as a consequence ?

Richard
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 02:10 PM
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1) Lots of things could have happened. They cannot prosecute for things that "could" have happened. You're right; he could have killed someone. But he didn't.

2) You can't give what you don't have. At best, compensation would have been paid at £5 per month for the next 20 years or something.
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Jazzy Jefferson
2) You can't give what you don't have. At best, compensation would have been paid at £5 per month for the next 20 years or something.
Yes so what's the problem? Why should the homeowners have higher premiums on their insurance because of some irresponsible and probably workshy ar5ehat!
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 02:44 PM
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I think he should have been given 12 months mimimum, an invoice for the damage and ban from driving for 10 years. That would have been a soft sentance.

It's ok saying that all young people do stupid things, but they don't. Stupid people do stupid things. Stupid people do dangerous things. If he obtained a driving licence then he also knew what was expected of him and his driving. He chose not to follow the rules of the road and his actions nearly killed a mother and child.

I was 17 when I passed my test and in the maximum I have ever had before driving is 1 pint and even then, I usually wait at least a couple of hours before driving. I also had a lot of peer pressure as I was one of the first in my 6th form to get my licence. I 'was' the first to get a car.

Age is no excuse.
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Jazzy Jefferson
1) Lots of things could have happened. They cannot prosecute for things that "could" have happened. You're right; he could have killed someone. But he didn't.
So how come a guy standing next to a speed camera with a gallon of petrol and an old tyre was found guilty of arson and sentenced to a year in prison?

Attack, or even LOOK like you are going to attack, their money making scams, they don't half hit you hard!
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 05:51 PM
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Good idea.Next time I go shopping,rather than taking my own car & risking a £60 parking fine(minimum) I can steal a car & park it in John Lewis's window.
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 05:56 PM
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Seen a story in the papers yesterday and I dont understand it , but the jist of it was . . .


A 20yo man found guilty of some sexual abuse (cant remember what , but doesnt really matter) of young girls , committed the crimes when he was a teen (think below 18) was sent to serve his punishment in a young offenders centre ?

Why is a 20yo serving time there ? Is that the best place for a pedeofile , locked up with young people ?

Judgements in courts today worry me sometimes.
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by CharlySkunkWeed
Seen a story in the papers yesterday and I dont understand it , but the jist of it was . . .


A 20yo man found guilty of some sexual abuse (cant remember what , but doesnt really matter) of young girls , committed the crimes when he was a teen (think below 18) was sent to serve his punishment in a young offenders centre ?

Why is a 20yo serving time there ? Is that the best place for a pedeofile , locked up with young people ?

Judgements in courts today worry me sometimes.
Jeez, that is almost beyond comprehension!
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 06:06 PM
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Originally Posted by f1_fan

What happened to all this getting tough on crime that this and the previous government bang on about? More words with no actions!!!!
we are a part of the eu now so any form of tough punishment and human rights ******* will have a field day......................doesnt matter about the human rights of the victims tho
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 06:09 PM
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Originally Posted by richs2891
Unbelievable sentence, but possibly the max that can be given in the circumstances ?
Bring back hanging!

Yours Outraged,

Maily Dale
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by the shreksta
we are a part of the eu now so any form of tough punishment and human rights ******* will have a field day......................doesnt matter about the human rights of the victims tho
It's Human Wrongs, not Human Rights.
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by f1_fan
Jeez, that is almost beyond comprehension!
Just hoked the bin to find the story.He was 15/17 , they were 12/13. Took indecent pics and blackmailed them into doing worse. Sentence is 6 years in A juvenile detention centre , as a 20 year old ! Ryan Higgins is his name.

Last edited by CharlySkunkWeed; Nov 26, 2013 at 06:19 PM.
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by ScoobyWon't
It's Human Wrongs, not Human Rights.
its a load of **** thats what it is,there is no deterrent these days for crimes unless its crimes that bring in money for the government ie speeding etc,even non payment of council tax can carry a prison sentence

if anybody commits crime against me i will just smash them to bits-at least i know they have been punished
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by CharlySkunkWeed
Seen a story in the papers yesterday and I dont understand it , but the jist of it was . . .


A 20yo man found guilty of some sexual abuse (cant remember what , but doesnt really matter) of young girls , committed the crimes when he was a teen (think below 18) was sent to serve his punishment in a young offenders centre ?

Why is a 20yo serving time there ? Is that the best place for a pedeofile , locked up with young people ?

Judgements in courts today worry me sometimes.
Plenty of teenage boys screw 15 year olds if that was the case and it doesn't make them paedos. Just a bit of fun when they are both young. dl
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by David Lock
Plenty of teenage boys screw 15 year olds if that was the case and it doesn't make them paedos. Just a bit of fun when they are both young. dl
http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.u...ail/story.html
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 11:33 PM
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Question for any plod or lawyers reading:
with a suspended sentence, how serious a new offence would the person found guilty have to commit (or how minor could they get away with), before the original sentence is applied for real?

Last edited by markjmd; Nov 26, 2013 at 11:39 PM.
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 06:16 AM
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Driving around p1ssed is unforgivable and there are people who do it on a regular basis.
So is "borrowing" your aunties car.
However, we all do stupid things when we are young - well I have and this would include "borrowing" my fathers 911S back in the day (although I was not pissed).
No one was hurt in this incident.
It may be that the judge felt this young man was of previous good behaviour (?), had learnt his lesson and that a custodial sentence would have ruined his life.
Judges are entrusted to make these kind of decisions and of course sometimes will get it wrong.
One can either take the Daily Mail (does anyone actually read it?) view on this or the (perhaps) over optimistic one.
Depends on how you see it, but having been a stupid young man once upon a time, in the benevolence of my old age, I am prepared to hope the judge got this one right.
Having said that, I was not in the court room at the time, so I can't really say anything specific about the case.
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 06:19 AM
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Originally Posted by markjmd
Question for any plod or lawyers reading:
with a suspended sentence, how serious a new offence would the person found guilty have to commit (or how minor could they get away with), before the original sentence is applied for real?
I am neither, but I would imagine the judge would have a fair degree of discretion - good question though.
Maybe it depends on your lawyer
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 08:36 AM
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Originally Posted by markjmd
Question for any plod or lawyers reading:
with a suspended sentence, how serious a new offence would the person found guilty have to commit (or how minor could they get away with), before the original sentence is applied for real?
In theory, any offence in the next 2 years which he is found guilty of should make him carry out the suspended sentence.

I think the court has taken the view that this has been a 'moment of madness'
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 12:29 PM
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Judges and the police are sometimes up their own jacksies.

My eldest had his pride and joy, an almost new Renault Clio 197 Sport rammed into a ditch by an uninsured driver who came past a give way on a country road.
The lad had cancelled his insurance on the previous week "because it was too dear...", but was still driving.

They EVENTUALLY did him for DWDCA, and no insurance. he did just under £5000 damage to my lad's car, and left him without that car for 6 weeks, gave both my lad and his passenger bad whiplash.

The copper on the scene later told my lad he wouldn't have done the other kid for DWDCA as he was only young!

And the magistrates gave him only 6 points, (each offence was supposed to have carried 6 points), and fined him a total of £135 including victim surcharge!

With that sort of punishment, is there any wonder more people drive without insurance?

Incidentally: it took my lad nearly a year to get his excess back, and his insurers stopped him two years NCD...

Last edited by alcazar; Nov 27, 2013 at 12:30 PM.
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 12:41 PM
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Originally Posted by CharlySkunkWeed
That deserves a sentence of course. Sex with a 10 year old is statutory rape anyway?

dl
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 01:44 PM
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http://www.theguardian.com/music/201...pted-rape-baby

Hopefully they will stand this sick t**t in a glass vat and slowly drip acid in to melt him from the feet upwards.
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