Monday 30 July 2012

Oh, Seems I Was Wrong...

...about District Judge Joti Bopa-Rai, that is:
A teenage criminal has been spared a prison sentence, after a judge admitted "I should be locking you up".
First offence? Nope. Not even close...
The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will have to serve a year-long community punishment after admitting nine crimes, including his third burglary.
I guess mitigation will be good?
District Judge Joti Bopa-Rai admitted that the Cheltenham youngster had previously ignored advice from the courts.
"You are somebody I should be locking up, but at the same time we have to look at your age, your personal difficulties, and I know there are medical issues," she said.
"There is a principle that we try to work with young people rather than lock them up.
"You are at a stage where your offending is going further and further and I should be locking you up, but there is an alternative."
Oh, really?
Dave Brown, defending, said: "He knows that the starting point is a detention and training order.
"I wonder if, whether you were to grant him an intensive supervision which has been outlined to the court, it could give some progress with his moods and thinking skills, otherwise he will be locked away for a fairly lengthy stretch."
Ooooh, a Thinking Skills course! Just the ticket!
The judge ordered him to undertake a year-long youth regulation order, with intensive supervision and surveillance for six months. For three months he will be subject to an electronic tag with a 7pm to 7am curfew, and 15 hours of education and training each week.
The judge added: "If you breach the order, I will be dealing with it and you will be going inside for a long time."
I would say I'll look out for him reappearing, but how will I know? Since he can't be named....

8 comments:

Dr Cromarty said...

Could I save the taxpayer a bit of money with my own 'Thinking Skills 101':

BURGLARY IS A STUPID IDEA, YOU HALFWIT.

Robert the Biker said...

The only medical issues this POS should have would be ten broken fingers and two broken legs; let's see you rob now you little scrote.

NickM said...

Am I the only one who feels this neducation is a complete waste. I have taught the dis-interested and it is like trying to put nails in a wall with a jelly hammer. I have also taught the interested and it is a joy. They essentially teach themselves.

John Tee said...

BURGLARY IS A STUPID IDEA, ...

Not sure that's true though. What is the the clear-up rate for burglary (i.e. the actual chance of being caught) and of those that are caught how many go inside?

Anonymous said...

Hanging Judge JuliaM could bring this Nation so much closer to an ideal state of order; eliminating delinquents, chavs, n*****s and those f****** b****** cyclists.

JuliaM said...

"Am I the only one who feels this neducation is a complete waste."

You certainly are not!

"What is the the clear-up rate for burglary (i.e. the actual chance of being caught) and of those that are caught how many go inside?"

Not enough!

"Hanging Judge JuliaM could bring this Nation so much closer to an ideal state of order..."

Thank you!

Mind you, these days, they mostly do the hanging themselves.

David Gillies said...

I like an exponentially-increasing sentence. Say doubling it each time. Minimum burglary sentence for first offence: three years. So third burglary = 12 years. 3 + 6 + 12 = 21. Five burglaries would be a mathematical impossibility. Of course in my world, concurrent sentences would not exist, nor would automatic parole or any of the other wishy-washy nonsense. The bleeding hearts don't seem to realise that the only sentencing structure compatible with true liberty is eye-watering tariffs for those who deprive others of life, health or property.

Rob said...

The courts give advice?