Who's Side Are Our Judges On, The Victims Or The Criminals?

[anotheoldgit]

Recently there was the a judge who said "It takes a huge amount of courage, as far as I can see, for somebody to burgle somebody's house. I wouldn't have the nerve."

And now one has said: 'I take into account four of the wounds and two of the deep wounds were deliberately made by you on the legs.

'I am therefore giving you credit for the fact that when you used the knife the way you did you were taking care not to inflict life threatening injuries, although I am aware that such injuries can cause death.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2246843/Judge-credits-thug-Hoopang-Wong-taking-care-inflict-life-threatening-injuries-victim.html

There really are some very caring knife wielding thugs about these days.

[Zeuhl]

'I take into account four of the wounds and two of the deep wounds were deliberately made by you on the legs. '

why would anyone imagine that just because he said that, the judge was on 'the side of the criminals'?

[rojash]

"'I am therefore giving you credit for the fact that when you used the knife the way you did you were taking care not to inflict life threatening injuries, although I am aware that such injuries can cause death. "

Then he gave him seven years. I don't have a problem with that.

[boxtops]

Taking care when slicing into someone could be defined by some as a method of torture - I don't have a problem with that.

[furrypusscat]

It makes one wonder, doesn't it?

[ChuckFickens]

The DM obviously doesn't understand the meaning of the word "credit" when used in this context. It's not used to acknowledge an accomplishment or used in a "credit where credit is due" way.

[DSJ]

Definitely not on the side of common sense.

[Goonermatt]

///Defending Wong, Nathalie Carter described her client as a 'warm, loyal and sensitive young man,'///

Why do they always come out with this nonsense?

[2sp_]

A good defence lawyer will always try to put their client in the best possible light, Goonermatt. That is their job.

They wouldn't be much use if they described clients as worthless scumbags, would they?

[boxtops]

They'd be castigated for not defending their client in a soft fluffy light if they did.

[aelmpvw]

I read recently that a criminal received £2000 compensation for being bitten by a police dog while he was breaking into a car. Isn't it about time that if you are committing a criminal act you forego any entitlement to compensation?

[naomi24]

I don't think he should have been given credit for anything.

[Goonermatt]

Can the lawyer not be charged with perjury or something then? Because it's quite clear that this chap is a nasty piece of work with plenty of previous and not particularly 'warm' or 'sensitive'.

Ultimately the law has let us down in this case. He was caught twice previously with a knife. If he was given 10 years inside the first time he was caught, he might have thought twice about it the next time.

[Zeuhl]

/I don't think he should have been given credit for anything/

so em

you don't think the sentencing formula should treat him any differently to someone who deliberately goes for the face , neck or abdomen in order to cause as much injury as possible?

So not dealing with people who are worse more severely?

That seems irrational.

[naomi24]

Zeuhl, Em didn't say that - I did. No, I don't think he should be treated differently. He deliberately used a knife with the intention of harming his victim.

[Zeuhl]

/Can the lawyer not be charged with perjury or something then? Because it's quite clear that this chap is a nasty piece of work with plenty of previous and not particularly 'warm' or 'sensitive'./

Gooner

You are confusing Perjury which is an offence that involves Factual evidence
with subjective opinions and descriptions such as 'loyal and sensitive'

[sandyRoe]

But the accused is a 'warm, loyal, and sensitive young man, with aspirations to be come a tattoo artist.'
If he ever achieves his ambition he'll be able to inflict pain and be paid for doing it.

[Zeuhl]

Apologies to naomi and em for mis-identification

naomi

if you don't treat this guy differently then, in effect you are not treating the 'worse' offender differently either.

Therefore, no disincentive for those who try to cause maximum injury.

[sandyRoe]

If someone was trying to cause maximum injuries with a knife wouldn't a better charge be attempted murder?

[naomi24]

Zeuhl, or looking at it the other way, you are telling the perpetrator that if he doesn't do much harm to the victim he's going to be treated leniently. Personally, I’d throw the book at the lot of them!

[youngmafbog]

//The DM obviously doesn't understand the meaning of the word "credit" when used in this context. It's not used to acknowledge an accomplishment or used in a "credit where credit is due" way. //

And neither do I and most of the population.

Our Learned friends need to understand the real world where the majority of us have not been to Oxbridge and are not into dissecting the English language.

Plain, clear and concise English should be the order of the day. Otherwise most of us will take him the wrong way (If indeed he did mean it in some other way still unbeknown to me).