Tuesday 15 November 2011

The Return Of The ‘Thinking Skills’ Programme…

Nicola Bell, mitigating, said the defendant was shocked and ashamed by her actions.

She said Daniels, who has been in custody for 31 days and is due to have another child next month, has now abandoned her original explanation, that she was under duress, and admits the offences were solely her responsibility.

"She had drunk too much alcohol and taken too much diazepam, that is what led to her committing these offences," said Ms Bell.

She added: "She was in complete financial dire straits."
In which case, how could she possibly afford the alcohol (the diazepam was no doubt prescription, maybe even hers)?

And eagle-eyed readers will note that she has a child already. I suppose we should be grateful she didn’t take the hammer to it, rather than to a few shops…
Recorder Martin Hurst sentenced Daniels to 12 months in custody, suspended for two years, with two years' supervision and 16 sessions at Chepstow House, Hanley, which aims to help women get their lives back on track. She must also complete a thinking skills programme.
Somehow, I rather doubt that’ll help. Pretty sure booze and pills makes you forget any 'thinking skills' that might have been drummed into you...

6 comments:

Angry Exile said...

A thinking skills program? Seriously, there is really such a thing as a thinking skills program? Someone's having a laugh.

microdave said...

"Drunk too much alcohol and taken too much diazepam"

I'm fairly sure the label on the diazepam would advise against taking them with alcohol. That much ought to be common sense, anyway...



Just checked with the preview function and seen AE's mention of "thinking skills". I suppose I should retract my last sentence!

Macheath said...

'which aims to help women get their lives back on track'

This won't be the end of it, sadly. If the mother has been consuming pills and alcohol to this extent throughout her pregnancy, then the child is likely to need a damn sight more than 'thinking skills training' to cope with mainstream education - if, indeed that is possible at all.

Odds are, he or she will drop out early with no qualifications, and the whole bloody cycle will repeat itself.

Between them, mother and child should keep dozens of welfare personnel in work for decades to come.

Captain Haddock said...

"Odds are, he or she will drop out early with no qualifications, and the whole bloody cycle will repeat itself.

Between them, mother and child should keep dozens of welfare personnel in work for decades to come" ...

And I'm cynical enough to believe that's no mere accident or oversight, either ..

Tattyfalarr said...

Are they sure her pickled brain is even capable of thought ?

Pity the poor unborn child. To be born with FAS and crucified with the pain of drug withdrawal is something that should deserve a criminal charge against the breeder.

Something on a par with attempted murder. What chance in life do such babies have ? Makes me sick...

JuliaM said...

"Someone's having a laugh."

And the laugh's definitely on us...

"I suppose I should retract my last sentence!"

Indeed!

"Between them, mother and child should keep dozens of welfare personnel in work for decades to come."

As the Capt points out, perhaps this is a case of 'working as intended'..?

"Pity the poor unborn child. "

Indeed.... :(