But people are. And they've paid a high price for it.
The freeloaders? Well, they are likely to escape:
Mrs Hines has bigger things to worry about. With estimates of up to £30,000 to repair structural damage and replace her furniture, she is in despair about how to find the money.
‘Since Andrew has been gone, money has been tight and I have no idea what we will do,’ she says.
There is little chance of compensation either — although the police have suggested bringing criminal charges, it could be hard to work out who to bring them against.But, since we are talking about the Essex Farce, there is one culprit that's already been identified, they know the address, they won't need to do any hard work.
Who?
Essex Police confirmed it was currently considering if it is in the public interest to prosecute for a breach of the peace and allowing underage drinking in her home.
An Essex Police spokeswoman said: “Police are working with the family and considering whether any offences have been committed and whether it is in the public interest to prosecute those responsible. Local officers are also in contact with residents of the street to establish a full picture of the events which took place.”Yup! Prosecute the victim!
/golfclap
I wasn't aware that underage drinking was illegal provided no money changes hands.
ReplyDeletePolice are working with
ReplyDeleteChrist, the record's stuck.
Do they send these spokesmen to a special school for this?
"I can speak Eeenglish. I learned it from a boook"
Essex Police confirmed that they had no more navel fluff to examine, and they were bored, so why not work on some trumped-up charges?
Inspector Ben Pensant stated "We are following various avenues of inquiry, sorry, enquiry to establish whether this person is, ipso facto, a witch, as it were. To that end, a priori, forensic teams are working to find prima faecal evidence of a black, small domesticated feline animal, although I should stress that the animal's coat is black but its skin is white, so there may be scope oh sorry, I didn't mean that mental charity - for a hate crime prosecution. Several brooms have been taken in evidence and these cuts mean that your wife is going to get mugged soon so don't blame us."
XX allowing underage drinking in her home. XX
ReplyDeleteNot an offence (From the age of 14 IIRC) when done in private.
Which, in this case, it was.
Or is she living in a bus stop?
@Furor
ReplyDeleteOr is she living in a bus stop?
In Essex, these are known as procreation centres.
Not an offence (From the age of 14 IIRC) when done in private.
ReplyDeleteHardly, try 5...
Between the ages of 5 and 17, it is legally permissible for children to drink alcohol at home or at a friend's house with the permission of a parent or legal guardian.
John, You are, of course, correct!
ReplyDeleteThe 14 I was thinking is "in a pub. Beer, cider, wine or perry, with a substantial meal." (Judges findings "Substantial meal, is that which is eaten with a knife aad fork.))
Again IIRC, there is not even mention of parental guidance....(?)
But I stand to be corrected.
Once again, the punishment's in the process. Even if Essex's finest - or would it be the CPS? - decide not to prosecute, the fact that she might be prosecuted makes Mrs Hines' life even more of a misery (as well as more expensive if she has to cough up for a defence lawyer).
ReplyDeleteIs there no end to this utter, utter madness?
Stupid? Unworldly, perhaps, but really even if they'd written invitation cards and sent them out by snail mail it would only take one invitee to tweet the details... Terrifying.
ReplyDeleteToo much to hope that the Farce might think of a way of dealing with this kind of thing proactively, I suppose.
It is not illegal to drink 'underage'. It is illegal to try to buy booze underage.
ReplyDeleteWhat world do we live in where I know the law better than plod?
Or to SUPPLY!
ReplyDeleteI think the point, and the details have been covered.
'Between the ages of 5 and 17, it is legally permissible for children to drink alcohol at home or at a friend's house with the permission of a parent or legal guardian.'
ReplyDeleteWell, you could hardly call the unwanted guests friends. It's a fair cop, officer!
"I wasn't aware that underage drinking was illegal provided no money changes hands."
ReplyDeleteAs FT, John and Noggin point out, it isn't. Expert legal brains they have in Essex Farce, eh?
"Once again, the punishment's in the process. "
Yup, spot on!
"...but really even if they'd written invitation cards and sent them out by snail mail it would only take one invitee to tweet the details.."
That's very true. But of course these days, we blame the method, not the perpetrators. It's more 'civilised', or something.
"Well, you could hardly call the unwanted guests friends. It's a fair cop, officer!"
Maybe that's exactly their angle?!
XX "Well, you could hardly call the unwanted guests friends. XX
ReplyDeleteDebatable.
They have/She has, however tenuosly, invited the "crowd".
It is up to the court to decide if they could, therefore, be called "friends".
Hej, Julia! I know it is a pain in the arse for you. but this moderation is GREAT!
ReplyDeleteThanks! :-)