Defence solicitor Kevin Walker said Walker, a labourer, suffered from ADHD as a child and did not learn to read and write.
He made friends with the wrong people and claimed he did not know they were going badger baiting. He went along with it to not appear weak. He did not own a dog.
He said he was not involved directly because he had been asked only to film the events and had tried to limit his involvement with these friends.
“He is thoroughly ashamed of his involvement and has lost the respect of his family who have thrown him out of the family home.”
Mr Walker asked that his client be given a suspended sentence claiming he was a “changed man”.
The magistrates weren't fooled, for once:
A Bradford man grinned as he was led away to start a 26-week prison sentence for his part in a badger baiting gang where he was heard laughing as he filmed the animals being savaged by dogs.
I do hope nothing happens to him in prison....
Being angered and physically sickened by the story, I unashamedly claim some moral high ground. Whilst I was unable to watch the video, I nevertheless point out that it is not for police or prisoners to mete out 'appropriate punishments' in default of meaningful justice; however provocative it may be to know in advance, our courts will be ridiculously soft in such matters.
ReplyDeleteI annoying part is if that had been a person who he filmed he probably wouldn't have gotten that long.
ReplyDeleteNothing seems to produce "a changed man" quite like getting caught. Also despite my general distaste for vigilante action, I, for one, hope something deeply unpleasant does happen to him inside.
ReplyDeleteSurely the same action he perpetuated should be carried out on him? Isn't that the point of restorative justice? Flog the swine. Don't waste money on locking him up, just flog him until he knows what it's like to be attacked by something mor epowerful than you. What's wrong with these disgusting people?
ReplyDelete"...it is not for police or prisoners to mete out 'appropriate punishments' in default of meaningful justice..."
ReplyDeleteBut if a little karma were to come his way, I wouldn't lose any sleep.
"Nothing seems to produce "a changed man" quite like getting caught."
And if he really can't be arsed, his solicitor will fake it anyway!
"Surely the same action he perpetuated should be carried out on him?"
Indeed so! Last time I was at London Zoo, the tigers looked a bit bored...