I find it utterly amazing that Judge Johnathan Hall could suspend the 8-month prison sentence he passed on a thief on the basis that prison places are in high demand following the recent riots. (Daily Express 9th September 2011).
An 8 month sentence is little enough considering the thief in question, while employed by Asda, concocted an elaborate scam to steal goods worth an estimated £10,000, charging an accomplice as little as £8.49 for goods worth £200, but to suspend it?
The judiciary is supposed to be independent of all other government agencies, it’s not for us to worry about adequate prison places, that’s the job of the prison service and when we start concerning ourselves with the effects of the sentences we pass on other government departments it throws into question the whole ethos of an independent judiciary, who should pass sentences which are both just and in accordance with the law, and let someone else fret about the consequences.
No comments:
Post a Comment