Stephen Robert Carter was already subject to a dispersal order and had been previously arrested for having a knife when officers were called to the train station.
The 48-year-old, of Peartree Lane, Weymouth, admitted two knife possession charges, as well as possessing heroin and crack cocaine.
Who says the disabled can't make a contribution to the world of 'work', eh?
Mr Newman added that, because of a previous conviction for possessing a knife, these recent incidents would activate the ‘second strike’ rule.
The ‘two-strikes’ sentence means that adults convicted more than once of being in possession of a knife face a six-month prison sentence.
You just know there's a 'But...' coming, don't you, Reader?
Patricia Sheehan, mitigating, said: “His last conviction was in 2017. He then lost his accommodation because of Covid. He has reached a point where things might pick up for him now. If he goes to prison he loses everything he is working towards.”
And...that would be what, exactly?
Magistrates gave Carter a 18-month community order instead of sending him to prison saying: “We feel it would be unjust and inhumane to send you to prison because of your current circumstances.”
*sighs*
Jail isn't the solution for some folk who are so badly broken that there is nothing we can do to fix their problems.
ReplyDeleteWhat's your solution to mr stabby then?
DeleteIt used to be the mental hospitals that took in the mentally broken, with these places gone the streets and the 'couldn't care less in the community' policy are all that awaits.
ReplyDeleteAnd the government are trying to make political capital out of creating new offences and higher maximum sentences. Nothing will ever make a difference to crime until the courts stop handing down silly stupid soft sentences. Little wonder in many areas crime is not even investigated, for most of us it's just an insurance matter while the police take the knee and the criminals do what they like.
ReplyDelete"Jail isn't the solution for some folk who are so badly broken that there is nothing we can do to fix their problems."
ReplyDeleteSince the retirement of Mr Pierrepoint, it's all we have...
"Nothing will ever make a difference to crime until the courts stop handing down silly stupid soft sentences."
Sadly, there's no indication they ever will.
"What's your solution to mr stabby then?"
Lifetime imprisonment is my second choice.