Pc Harper

[dannyk13]

Some good news, but are the sentences too lenient?
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/uknews/12275108/pc-andrew-harper-wife-court-teen-killers-jail-manslaughter-sentence/

[Barsel]

From the link that mushroom put on.
The jury were not sure that Henry Long knew that as he was driving from Admoor Lane to Ufton Lane the car he was driving was dragging a human body. That is what the prosecution had to prove before anyone could be convicted of murder and they did not succeed in doing.
so.

[jourdain2]

I am truly shocked. The original verdict was bad enough. How his family and friends/comrades in the police force must be feeling - I can only imagine. If that's the law (given all the reductions for age etc., etc.) then I can only echo Mr. Bumble. Very sad.

[lady-janine]

jourdain2. very very sad.

[andy-hughes]

This thread - like the one before it, and the ones that sadly will follow it, will follow a similar track.

There will be a lot of seriously outraged people wanting dark revenge in prison for that they see as justice not served.

But at the risk of sounding like a cracked record - the law does not operate on what the public thinks about individual cases.

It is not moved, as we are, by the short length of the officer's marriage, the beauty of his widow, the perceived leniency of the sentences.

The judge has to make a decision based on the evidence he has heard, and it has become clear that he was not moved to believe that the defendants deliberately intended to murder the officer.

We may think differently many people do, but once again, that is not what is taken into account.

I am sure an appeal against the sentences can and will be lodged, and that will also be heard and argued without emotion and personal feeling, as it should be, and as it has to be.

Until then, we must let the process take its course, there is little if anything else we can do.

[teacake44]

20.25, I think the only part I may disagree with, is your second paragraph, most in prison hate the police, so they may get welcomed with a cheer.

[albaqwerty]

A police officer has died as a result of their actions. They should have had the maximum sentence.
Wouldn't deter other low-lifes but at least these ones would have been off the street for longer.

[andy-hughes]

alba - // A police officer has died as a result of their actions. They should have had the maximum sentence. //

The fact that the officer died at their hands is not disputed.

What was argued in court was the prosecution's assertion that the defendants acted deliberately to cause the officer's death.

Had the prosecution produced evidence sufficient to convince the jury that this was the case, then the defendants would have been found guilty of murder and sentenced accordingly.

The prosecution failed so to do, and a manslaughter verdict was handed down and the judge sentenced as he believed appropriate.

We can argue that, and I am quite sure the prosecution will do exactly that, but for now, that is the situation as it stands, and anyone and everyone thinking it is wrong is not going to change that.

[Peter Pedant]

// But at the risk of sounding like a cracked record - the law does not operate on what the public thinks about individual cases.//

hmm - unread book more like
ignored party political
familiar advert,,,,

[Theland]

The train robbers got thirty years. Nobody died.
Barry Bennel got thirty years for a string of sexual offences.
Nobody died.
This sentence does not seem right.

[Peter Pedant]

average lifer serves 10 y ( above )

In England and Wales, the average life sentence prisoner serves around 15 to 20 years before being paroled,

gone up - as a result of the change of the home secretary NOT setting the release date ( elected politician doing a judicial function)

[Peter Pedant]

this is a bit like a Brexit thread ( hey those were the days!)

the sentence has to be in accordance with the guide of the sentencing council ( yes we have had this before ) or else the judge explains why

[andy-hughes]

Peter - // hmm - unread book more like
ignored party political
familiar advert,,,, //

Does it ever bother you, or even occur to you, that the vast majority of what you post remains unread by the majority, and incomprehensible to the minority?

[Dogsrus]

Danny k13. I hope your remeber me. I need your help . Can you please answer my question about the numbers. You did it before and did a great job. TIA