On 29/12/2011 21:27, Charles Ellson wrote:
On Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:37:06 +0000, Bevan Price
wrote:

On 28/12/2011 20:01, Charles Ellson wrote:
On Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:10:07 +0000, Bevan Price
wrote:

On 28/12/2011 17:01, furnessvale wrote:
On Dec 28, 4:36 pm, Bevan wrote:

I would suggest that the law needs to be changed so that cable thieves
can be charged with "sabotage& endangering safety of rail passengers",
rather than theft, with severe minimum penalties specified by law, such
that some namby-pamby do-gooder could not reduce to a token level of
sentence. Dodgy scrap dealers should also face similarly severe charges
& penalties.

Bevan

No need for that. Theft carries a maximum penalty of 7 years,
handling even more. When did you see anyone, let alone these scroats,
get anywhere near these sorts of tariff.


George


I think that plain "theft" is not severe enough. Something like wilful
sabotage deserves a lot more than 7 years to punish offenders and deter
others. More like 20 years minimum would be my suggestion.

"Section 33 Offences Against the Person Act 1861 - note the intent to
injure or endanger the safety of persons on railways must be present.
The offence carries, on conviction, [a maximum penalty of?**] life
imprisonment;"
[http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/p_to_r/r...ort_offences/]

(**AFAIAA murder is the only offence for which only a life sentence is
available.)

The same maximum penalty applies in Scotland for the Common Law
offence of culpable and reckless conduct.

(And before anyone suggests you get less for murder, I think murderers
should get 100 years without remission. )

They all get "life" but not necessarily/usually in the form of
lifelong incarceration. The circumstances vary greatly between cases
and locking people up for ever is seldom appropriate.

That is a matter of personal opinion. I suspect that many millions would
disagree with you.

It is a matter of fact. Just because people disagree with facts does
not prevent them being facts.


Incorrect. It is not "Fact", it is your opinion (which you are entitled
to, and which may shared by others.). Many other people feel that
murderers should forfeit the right to freedom for as long as they live.
Indeed, many (non-legal types) thought that was what was going to happen
when hanging was abolished.

(OT) - As I think you imply, some people might like murderers to be
executed. If justice were perfect, I might agree with them. However
google "Timothy Evans" to see why I would oppose the return of a death
penalty. Justice is imperfect, sometimes the police & courts are
defective or incompetent. At least someone in prison can be released &
compensated if they are subsequently found to be innocent.

Bevan