Speaking directly to Okello, who appeared in the dock in a dark suit and blue tie, the judge added: 'You have pleaded guilty to two serious offences.
'I am not going to sentence you today because the court needs a pre-sentence report to find out more about you and your circumstances, and the circumstances of these offences.'What more do you need to know about his 'circumstances'? Surely all you need to know is that he's admitted to forgery in order to pocket £40k he wasn't entitled to?
Okello, of Harrow, northwest London, was released on unconditional bail and is due to be sentenced at the same court on June 13.Is it just to give enough time for new Home Office directions to bed in, I wonder?
Court reports must consider the historical 'background and culture' of ethnic minority criminals before they are sentenced, it has emerged.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said it is 'vital' pre-sentence assessments produced for judges by probation officers consider if non-white offenders have suffered 'trauma' from racism or discrimination, prompting claims of two-tier justice.
And they don't even have to have suffered it directly!
It said defendants may have experienced this personally or 'inter-generationally' if told about it by friends or family, or just learned of 'important historical events' affecting groups.
I wonder if it'll work for Irish Travellers? Can they rely on trauma from the Potato Famine?
2 comments:
"Court reports must consider the historical 'background and culture' of ethnic minority criminals before they are sentenced".
I actually have no problem with this concept..... providing that historical background they reference is that many of these cultures think nothing of thievery, violence, misogyny, and general avoidance of lawful behaviour if they can get away with it, and that the sentencing should be adjusted to knock those ideas out of them.
If only...
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