Thursday 23 December 2010

A Story That Poses As Many Questions As It Answers...

Trials are usually about 'closure'. Here's the crime, here's who did it, here's what the justice department deems their 'punishment', should they be conviccted

Not this one:
A St John Ambulance volunteer who stabbed her ex-fiance four times at the wheel, during an “outburst of aggression”, has avoided jail.
Wha..?
Vicky Caskey, 29, plunged her Swiss Army knife into Paul Lawrence’s arm and hand after he rebuffed her pleas for a “hug”.

The pair, who had called off their engagement, but had remained friends, had been for a drink at the Hawk pub, Battlesbridge and were on their way home when Caskey “snapped” and pulled out the knife, yelling “you hurt me!
A clear case, you'd think, that should attract a hefty prison sentence. So, why didn't it?
Sentencing her at Basildon Crown Court yesterday, Judge Christopher Mitchell said he was sparing Caskey instant jail because of her history of depression and physical disabilities.
Note that neither was considered sufficient to prevent her from becoming a St John's Ambulance volunteer. In fact, the knife she used was part of her work kit!
The court heard Caskey, of Mirimar Close, Canvey, has below average intelligence and mobility problems.
Is that 'below average intelligence' or the UK? Or just for Canvey?
The stabbing took place as the car neared Sadlers Farm roundabout.
I know it well. It's one of those 'big roundabout with little roundabouts attached' type - hard enough to navigate when a madwoman isn't stabbing you...
Caskey pulled the knife out of her bag after she “pictured Mr Lawrence with another woman”.

She stabbed him so hard the tendons in his hand severed.

Mr Lawrence managed to pull his 4x4 over and flag down a motorist who then dialled 999.

Outside the car Caskey continued punching and kicking Mr Lawrence and told a witness: “I’m very obsessive of him”.
Ummmm. Yeah...

Still, no permanent harm done, to explain the unaccountable leniency?
Mr Lawrence, a gardener, of Cranleigh Drive, Leigh, had to undergo two operations, spent five months off work and has lost the use of part of his hand as a result of the attack.
Oh.
Judge Mitchell told Caskey although she had inflicted multiple stab wounds, he accepted she was deeply remorseful.

He said: “This was an exceptional case and one which a suspended sentence can be passed.”
I don't think you're going to get another case with the exact same circumstances, Judge, not for a long time. But I wouldn't say this was 'exceptional', at least, not in the sense you probably mean...
She was also banned from making contact with Mr Lawrence and from entering Southend borough.

She now plans to relocate to Clacton with her family.
So, she's someone else's problem now!

12 comments:

Rob said...

Clear and obvious sexual discrimination

Anonymous said...

"She now plans to relocate to Clacton with her family."


Great! I'll keep an eye out.

Sorry is the hardest word said...

"Deeply remorseful" = "Upset I got caught."

Jim said...

Pussy pass.

James Higham said...

Vicky Caskey, 29, plunged her Swiss Army knife into Paul Lawrence’s arm and hand after he rebuffed her pleas for a “hug”.

Well, fair enough. If a girl doesn't get the attention she's come to expect ....

Clarissa said...

It's one of those 'big roundabout with little roundabouts attached' type...

Not for too much longer though as the small roundabouts are disappearing as part of the current works.

Anonymous said...

Only a sicko would express any interest whatsoever in a mentally subnormal disabled woman.

Hogdayafternoon said...

All I can say, JuliaM, is what I've posted elsewhere today on the subject of sentencing and punishment fitting crime: The man who shot two of my colleagues in 1974, as he tried to kidnap Princess Anne in The Mall, is still locked up - after Thirty-Six (yes,36) years. But of course he was a nutter :-/

Uncle Badger said...

Looks like the long march of Gramscian entryists into the legal profession over the past 30 years is really starting to pay-off.

Hogdayafternoon said...

PS:re my last,I appear to have mentioned a certain `Princess Anne` as one of the other victims of a heinous crime. You don't think she had anything to do with the successful 36 year incarceration of the perpetrator, do you? Nah, Surely not?

David Gillies said...

Uncle B: I think you could hear the tapping of the Gramscian Death Watch Beetle in the joists of British civilisation a good twenty years back.

JuliaM said...

"Clear and obvious sexual discrimination"

I have to agree with Jim - is there a clearer case?

"Well, fair enough. If a girl doesn't get the attention she's come to expect ...."

It IS Canvey...

"Not for too much longer though as the small roundabouts are disappearing as part of the current works."

I'd say they couldn't possibly make it WORSE, but I really don't want to tempt fate...

"Looks like the long march of Gramscian entryists into the legal profession over the past 30 years is really starting to pay-off."

Indeed, as David Gillies points out.

"You don't think she had anything to do with the successful 36 year incarceration of the perpetrator, do you? Nah, Surely not?"

I can't think of a comparable case that doesn't involve the Royal family...