Debate, nonsensical rioters sentences.

[GordonA]

In the light of the great variation of sentences handed out to rioters, (as little as 1 day detention), compared to 4 years for  "incitement to riot", by two men on Facebook, what are the thoughts of Forum Members on this absolutely ridiculous state of affairs?
My own opinion is that, we, as a nation, are in grave danger of becoming a total laughing stock in the eyes of the rest of the "civilised" world, as regards this latest debacle. We have a Prime Minister defending, in the world-wide media, the farcical situation where four perpetrators can actually be found in possession of stolen property, and be given "words of advice", from police officers!! As far as I can remember, that particular offence used to be called "Resetting", & meant a very heavy fine, or custodial sentence.
Most of these criminals will walk free after going to appeal, therefore sending the totally wrong message to the law-breakers.

See, I told you all that I can be serious!!  

[Scunner]

I think the problem may have been that the pondlife that was sentenced to one day in prison was dealt with immediately - they didn't wait long enough to hear Dave's anger and bay for blood. How suggesting that doing something attracts a sentence more than 1400 times longer than actually committing the suggested crime is quite ludicrous.

[Supacabby]

Police officer convicted of sexual assault - 8 months.
Men convicted of 'inciting riots' on facebook - 4 YEARS.

Now whether you consider 4 years for the FB rioters extreme or not I certainly consider 8 months from a serving police officer to be far too lenient which makes me think the whole judicial system seems completely out of control & also out of touch with modern day society.

8 years instead of 8 months more the correct punishment imho, 4 years for the FB guys seems a tad harsh, I'd have made it 3!

[nichola]

Sentances for crimes against property have always been more severe than crimes against a person... nothing new here

[suehugh]

Fom manchester
From walking down the road with a B&O TV over your shoulder to waking up in prison the following day, is the good sharp shock retribution that was required to deter further immediate occurences.Seems to have worked, although the rain was a great help.
As to the four year sentences, incitement to riot is as bad if not worse as carrying out the act.
Some other notable incitors in history were Stalin, Mao se tung.,
Hugh

[Scunner]

Very true - failed leafy Cheshire facebook incitor one day, ruthless dictator the next. You have been warned.

[suehugh]

Manchester is in Lancs-Home of the rioters
But yes -Cheshire-full of incitors (if thats a word) or budding dictators.

[GordonA]

They should consider themselves fortuanate that the maximum sentence of 10 years wasn't given !!

[lynne]

I work in the Courts in Birmingham and today I came out of Court to follow two elderly, rather posh, ladies down the street.  They were dicussing the sentences that had been handed out and one said to the other "I don't know about four years, they should have given him f***g thirty!"  It was so funny to hear her but I think you had to be there.....

[starman™]

Dont they shoot looters in some countries?