Gaal Gaal, 18, was wearing a smile as he made the misjudged attempt at banter on the canal towpath in Camden Town on October 6.
Gaal, of Brecknock Road, Tufnell Park, had first greeted Pc Adam Wellings with the words, “Hello, officer” before asking if he smoked. He then offered to sell some high-strength “skunk” cannabis, despite not possessing any drugs.
The court heard it was intended as a light-hearted remark, but it backfired badly after the teenager was arrested, charged and sent to Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court. Gaal pleaded guilty to offering to supply a class B drug last Thursday.I know what you’re going to say ‘A likely story!’ but…why address him as ‘officer’ if it wasn't a joke?
Certainly, the police farce accepts it was a joke…
His defence solicitor said: “He says he was joking and that was accepted by the police officer.
“He was smiling at the time and he knows the officer. He had no drugs on him at the time and neither did his friends.
“A caution was envisaged by everyone at the police station.”And even that would have been too much.
Attempts to give Gaal a caution were scuppered when officers realised he was still 17 at the time of arrest.
He was transferred to the youth offending team, but by the time they processed the matter he had already turned 18 and so he was sent to court.Whereupon he was fined £200, ordered to pay costs of £85 and – the final insult - a victim surcharge of £20
District Judge Peter Greenfield said: “If it was a joke, then it was a joke, but it’s a dangerous game to play.”
He warned Gaal not to commit further drug-related offences, saying he could “quickly amass” a serious record, which could mean that “life can get difficult”.A serious record...
15 comments:
"a victim surcharge of £20"
Payable to yours truly, if you please, as compensation for the contusion caused by violent palm-to-forehead contact.
Whatever happened to the spirit of the law?
Cocky little twit with a stupid name gets his come-uppance. Move along, nothing to see here.
Incoming MTG any minute now.I can't wait for his pearls of wisdom.
Jade
Another arrest scuppering the notion of presumed free-speech rights. The size 13 plod boot, which never featured in diplomacy or ballet, was out of order kicking this young lad.
And I do hope your own rear was no casualty of lightening, WC 'Jade'.
For goodness sake!
Along with threats to kill - it was only a joke officer or the length of wood concealed and used as a pretend firearm now that would be a joke that could backfire in a lethal way. I guess he had it coming to him. We dont see bomb hoaxes as jokes do we.
Sounds like someone was wanting a nice warm room with free food.
This is a case where the System is the punishment.
The grinder gets you and always goes too far.
Common sense enters not this State-required method.
Well there's a turn up for the books. The last time I was in Camden Town, a Police Officer offered to sell ME drugs. I didn't scream entrapment, but laughed it off.He was most miffed.
Gaal pleaded guilty to offering to supply a class B drug last Thursday.
Sigh... There you go. How many bloody more times do I have to say... Never ever plead guilty even if you are. A Jury would have laughed this out of court in 10 minutes. Yes it costs us taxpayers but the sooner the better that Plod learns not to use the Process as Punishment the better.
" A Jury would have laughed this out of court in 10 minutes" -RAB
You say that but Eldest Useless Object Of Mine (ie my oldest Son-the one with perchance for siring children on underage girls and for havng more metal in his face than Steptoe's yard) once 'broke in' to a former Girl Friend's house (ie he entered via the unlocked back door) to retrieve his gear. Whilst there he suffered a sugar low-being diabetic along with stupid.
He removed and ate a Yoghurt from her fridge. Their Worships failed to see the funny side and convicted him for burglarizing (Yes that makes me wince too!) a yoghurt.
No joke. I have a couple of mates in CID and i think one of them pulled something he laughed so hard when I answered-truthfully cos I was raised never to lie to Peelers- his "How's your idiotic Eldest?" question..
The devil is always in the detail with these stories Julia.
Gaal Gaal (so good they named him twice) is on first name terms with a police officer. How many of you are on such terms as him? To me that means he is a cocky repeat offender.
Secondly all you legal experts out there are obviously better qualified than the police,CPS,defence lawyer and the Judge.Each of whom decided there was a case to answer.I'm sure he will appeal after reading these messages of support.Perhaps he will call the King of the Internet MTG to give evidence for him
Jaded.
"...first name terms with a police officer. How many of you are on such terms as him? To me that means he is a cocky repeat offender."
I'm on first name terms with most of my local plod, I'm neighbourhood watch.
Jaded?
Go fuck yourself.
"Whatever happened to the spirit of the law?"
Good point. Sadly missing in action.
"Cocky little twit with a stupid name gets his come-uppance."
His 'comeuppance'? For what? A joke?
"I guess he had it coming to him. We dont see bomb hoaxes as jokes do we."
But some of them clearly and obviously are. So who's the fool?
"Sigh... There you go. How many bloody more times do I have to say... Never ever plead guilty even if you are. "
He must have received poor legal advice.
"Gaal Gaal (so good they named him twice) is on first name terms with a police officer. How many of you are on such terms as him? To me that means he is a cocky repeat offender."
Really? To me, it means that 'community officer' is doing his job.
Or was...
Rightwinggit-a new expert with a potty mouth.I hope you are on my beat.
Jaded
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