He’d Probably Have Got A Lesser Sentence If He’d Been The One Who Killed The Biker

An Ipswich man who filmed the body of a motorcyclist killed in a crash has been ordered to pay out more than £1,300 and given six points on his licence.

Whut? Yes, Reader, I was a bit surprised too.  

Before Suffolk Magistrates’ Court on Thursday was Arturas Motuzis, of Chilton Court, Belstead Avenue, who admitted publicising the indecent footage and using a handheld mobile phone while driving. T

The court heard Motuzis, 38, was travelling back from work in Bury St Edmunds when he came across the scene of the crash on June 4.Kevin Doherty, 44, from Somersham, had been killed in the collision after his motorcycle collided with a car and a lorry on the A14 at Sproughton. The emergency services had not yet reached the scene and Motuzis filmed the prone body of the Mr Doherty. The defendant uploaded the footage to a travel and traffic information group on Facebook.

Didn't really need footage, just text, to warn other motorists but that seems to be the norm now. If it's not filmed, it's like it doesn't exist for the modern generation. 

A number of users responded to the post expressing their distress and asking for it to be taken down, the court heard. Police were "inundated" with complaints about the video and on the evening of June 5 the defendant was identified and arrested. In interview, Motuzis said he was remorseful and admitted both offences.

And yet, that remorse - while it may actually be true in these circumstances - didn't seem to attract the usual leniency from our debased 'justice system'... 

The Chair of the Bench said: "We have just heard of the vile actions you took on June 4. This is one of the most distasteful things we have heard for many years in this court."

Really? Blimey, it must be a crime-free paradise here then.... 

Motuzis was handed a fine of £750 for the indecent footage along with £150 for using a phone while driving. On top of these fines, a prosecution cost of £85 was imposed along with a victim surcharge of £360.

What would he have got if he'd been the one to kill the biker? Probably a hell of a lot less.  

"Oooops, We Screwed Up..."

Jack Beecham, 72, from Prenton, had requested documents regarding an upcoming civil court case from police in June 2019 - but says he was instead mailed two pages about a criminal investigation.

Mr Beecham claimed he was also sent two pages about a misconduct allegation involving a Merseyside Police sergeant.

"...and we're going to make sure you pay for it." 

Mr Beecham said he attempted to phone the police solicitor's office about the papers, and also attempted to contact the subject of the criminal investigation and the police sergeant directly. But when he said he received no response, he forwarded the information to a number of other people, including former police officers and journalists.

He said: "That night, a big yellow van with 10 police officers came to my house to pick up four pieces of paper, which I gave them. They said I must also delete it from my devices, which I did. But then I said 'what do I do about the hundred-odd other people I sent them to?'"

Oh, they knew what to do about that. Charge you. 

He said police "didn't seem bothered at the time" when they picked up the papers. But in late 2021 he was charged with obtaining and disclosing personal data, leading to a lengthy court process spanning nearly two years.

Eventually, someone realised - probably because of the recent events - how this was going to look in the press.  

The pensioner walked free from Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, August 14, after the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) decided it was not in the public interest to pursue a case against him.

ICO prosecutor Anam Khan said: "In light of the knowledge that this is likely to be a lengthy trial, the prosecution takes on the view that it would be a disproportionate use of resources to continue with the case."

I humbly suggest that it wouldn't be a disproportionate use of resources to charge everyone involved in the decision to charge this man in the first place with wasting police time and misconduct in a public office... 

Doesn't Seem Very Gentle To Me...

'Gentle giant' rugby player Samuel Diatta collapsed outside luxury jewellery store Mappin & Webb in York.

It's this case, which is still dragging on for the men involved.

At an inquest opening, coroner, Jonathan Leach said Mr Diatta, from York, died of hypertensive heart disease and the effects of being restrained.

Why would a 'gentle giant' need to be restrained? 

In a previous statement, Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Steve Menzies said: 'A 999 call was received by police at 4.41pm and officers arrived at the scene at 4.46pm. 'Mr Diatta entered the store and became involved in an altercation with a member of security staff.

'This escalated resulting in the staff member being injured and Mr Diatta being restrained on the floor by a member of the shop staff and three members of the public.'

'As with any unexpected death of this nature, a police investigation is required to establish the facts, to establish whether or not there is any criminality relating to the death, and to get the answers for Mr Diatta's family and for those involved in the incident, and for the Coroner.'

The answers would appear to be 'don't start fights with security staff if you've got a weak heart', wouldn't they? 

This Is Why The Public Don't Intervene...

As previously reported by The Press, 39-year-old Sam Diatta, from York, tragically died after a disturbance at Mappin and Webb jewellers in Coney Street last month.

'Tragically'..?

A medical investigation is being conducted into the cause of his death. North Yorkshire Police say that four men, who were initially arrested in connection with the report, have been interviewed and released on bail pending the results of police and medical investigations and they have now had their bail extended while the investigation continues.

As The Press reported at the time of the incident on July 26, North Yorkshire Police officers received several reports of a disturbance at the store and upon arrival a man was being restrained by a member of the shop staff and members of the public. Unfortunately Sam began to have medical difficulties and was taken to York Hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead shortly after 6.40pm.

'Sadly'..?

Can no-one spare any sympathy for the men (who did what they thought was the just thing to do) with this hanging over their heads while the wheels of justice grind oh-so-slowly?

A Few Things Missing From This Story...

Watson, 37, was taken into custody following the incident and was caught in possession of a lock knife and drugs when he was searched by officers.

He went on to admit charges of possession of a knife blade and or sharp pointed article in a public place and possession of a controlled drug of class B.

But during sentencing this week, Watson was on the receiving end of high praise from Judge Shane Collery.

No, not another barmy judge - for once! The 'incident' referred to was something quite different to what you might think... 

Judge Collery said: “It’s an unusual case and in many ways the public should be thanking him for his actions that day.

“I think you deserve that thanks, you didn’t know the guns were fake and you thought there was a real risk to the public.

“It was a brave thing to do.

“You and another man were going past on bikes and saw this man with the firearms and stopped and challenged. At the time, police saw that there was a tussle as you were trying to get the arms off him.”

And were the police grateful for this help from the public, as they always claim? Reader, this is Essex Police, and they were not... 

The court was told Watson had been summoned to crown court because he had originally been charged with affray. However, the charge was dropped.

Presumably even the CPS realised their chances of getting a conviction were slim once the jury heard the full details, if the idiot plod low-hanging fruit pickers didn't!

Watson was handed an absolute discharge for the knife possession and a £20 fine for carrying the drugs. He was also ordered to pay a £34 victim surcharge.

We aren't told what the nutter carrying the two fake firearms in public got. I mean, even Essex Police aren't so useless they didn't charge him, surely? 

If He Waits Up And Shoots The Vandal, Will The Council Be Charged As An Accessory?

Wesley Richardson, from First For Flooring in Lewes Road, Brighton, was told by an environmental enforcement officer from Brighton and Hove city council that the tagging must be cleared.

He now faces a £100 fine if the graffiti is not removed, or if it reappears within the 14-day period from when a community protection warning was issued.

Is this the first time he's been hit with this visual vandalism, then? No, Reader, far from it: 

Wesley has removed graffiti from his store many times, only for it to return shortly after.

So why is the council punishing the victim here? 

“They’re doing everything they can to help small businesses, the Government, but then it feels like the council are just screwing you over,” said Wesley. “It’s absolutely ridiculous.”

Because they are! 

Wesley said he was informed by an environmental enforcement officer that the city council will work in tandem with Sussex Police to tackle tagging.

But not, I note, by helping the businesses hit by this catch and punish the vandals... 

"We tried to save her. He had this big knife so no one wanted to go near."

Mr Jiyad said the driver's actions were heroic and described how he himself tried to save the woman: 'I tried to speak to her as she was bleeding and held her as she took her last breath. I have blood on my hand from it.'

His wife, who asked not be named, added: 'The driver wasn't driving very fast but nothing could take the guy from the lady. The driver was the only one who could do anything.'

Your reminder, should you need more, that when seconds count, the police are only minutes away. 

But should you manage to fight back, they'll turn up and arrest you for daring to do what they can't or often won't: 

Police arrived within minutes and were seen leading the driver into the back of a police van. Officers said a 26-year-old man was being questioned on suspicion of murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood said: 'This was a terrible incident that occurred in broad daylight on a busy London street. It also appears that a number of members of the public bravely tried to intervene to stop the attack.'

Well, don't worry, no-one will do that again now... 

Local MP Karen Buck said what happened was 'horrific' and 'devastating' for both relatives of those killed and the surrounding community.

And the man who tried to do the right thing and now finds himself caught in the gears of an uncaring 'justice' system? Any words for him?  

And She's Right...

The mother of a young man who died after he was pinned down in a citizen's arrest has branded his killer's sentence 'a joke'.

...he should have got the freedom of the city for ridding it of a menace. Instead, he found himself in the dock, and now in prison.

Stafford Crown Court heard Benjamin Hunt chased 25-year-old Christopher Walters after he had damaged a car with a hammer in Longton in May 2019.

Hunt, aged 32, then held Mr Walters by the neck, on the ground, for several minutes, using his body weight to pin him down even after Mr Walters lost consciousness.

Now Hunt, from Longton, has been jailed for 38 months in prison after admitting his manslaughter.

Clearly, his companion had even less faith in the justice system: 

Hunt's work colleague Jonathan Hassall, who was also involved in the incident, took his own life just days before he was due to go on trial for manslaughter.

But back to mommie dearest: 

The 58-year-old, from Bentilee, said: 'I'm not happy at all; it's disgusting. It's one big joke. It's disgraceful and shocking.

'If he had let my son go, the police could have found him if they had given them his description and he would have been charged with criminal damage.

'I don't feel like I've got justice for Chris' death. Everyone gets dealt a pack of cards in life, and I got the joker.

'I'm not happy with his sentence at all.'

Nor am I. You should be behind bars for giving birth to a habitual criminal... 

It's A Reminder Of Something Else, Too...

Solicitor Lauren Dale of Hudgell Solicitors, who represented Mr Barnes' family at the hearing, said: 'This case is a reminder of the tragic consequences of security and other personnel seeking confrontation and using excessive force.

It's also a reminder not to get out of your trolly on drugs on a night out, start a fight when challenged and then resist arrest when caught.

Ms Dale added that Mr Barnes' family cannot watch the footage as it is too 'heart-breaking' and that the family were hurt by what they viewed as a 'lack of compassion' from the four men during the inquest.'

Any compassion I might have goes to four men who could soon be on trial for trying to make the late night station a better area, unsullied by violent druggies.  

 

Words No Longer Mean What They Used To....

Mr Stephenson - described as a happy, carefree “rock” for his family, and a boy with a “really big heart” - was found dead at the scene in a trench by roadworks.

Another angle in hevven....

His mother had said to him hours earlier: “Don’t take the bike out tonight my lad. Be a good lad for your mam.”

He said: “I won’t mam.”

Oh, it's like the death of little Nell..!

Prosecutor Richard Bennett said: “Unfortunately, Sonny ignored his mother’s advice that night.”

He rode the Yamaha Diversion, modified with false plates, a loud engine and no front lights or back brakes, while wearing a balaclava and casual clothes but without protective clothing or a crash helmet.

A boy with 'a really big heart', but not, clearly, two brain cells to rub together.

And his appointment in Samarra fast approaching in the form of one totally fed-up citizen.

Peter Makepeace QC, defending, said: “He accepts that he is fully, completely and solely responsible to blame for that death.

“His actions were unbelievably stupid, unbelievably reckless and grossly criminal.”

And one might ask why he didn't leave it up to the police, who are paid to resolve anti-social behaviour. One might ask, indeed...

But he didn't.

He said Buckworth acted after feelings of “powerlessness”, community concern and distress built up in the preceding months over misuse of powerful motorbikes converted into “joy-riding tools”.

One might think that the police should be targeting these sorts of criminals. One might think, indeed...

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, said the sentence might “satisfy no-one” and could never compensate for the loss or help overcome the grief.

He said Buckworth - described as a normal, decent, hard-working family man with two children - was affected by anti-social behaviour and acted under a degree of provocation.

But he told him: “Nothing could have justified what you did.

“What you did was to decide to teach him a lesson.

“This was not an impulsive act. There was some thought given to what you did.”

Whereas there was no thought given to anything by Sonny, ever. Or by Sonny's useless 'parents'.

Yet his departure from the world is considered 'a great loss'. And this verdict is considered 'justice'.

I think I need a new dictionary.

Oh, We're Listening, All Right...

...it's just that we all know you're talking utter bollocks:

Ed Willis, 27, a rough sleeper on St James’s Street, said: “It’s got to the point where I’d rather die on the street than live in a hostel.

“I can’t even live in my home town.

“I sit here with a razor blade cutting myself and people just walk past. How much does one person have to suffer for people to care?

“I blame everyone in authority - even the Queen.”

 Of course you do....

He said the main reason homelessness is on the rise in the city is that rough sleepers are increasingly moving to Brighton from other cities.

Of those spoken to, two were from Blackburn, one from Newcastle and another from Glasgow.

Because Brighton is attractive to them. Why would they come otherwise? So there must be lots of people listening.

Here's To The Good People Of Ashby-De-La-Zouch!

And a reminder that when the police whinge that the public don't help them, it's because the lazy bastards will arrest you if you attempt it:

Facebook user Roy Alan wrote: 'You'll forgive me of course if I feel absolutely no pity for this robbing criminal. He is a product of his own making.. There's a lesson to be learned here... don't go out robbing... it's pretty simple.'

Alison Parish wrote on Facebook: 'Feel sorry for the guy doing the citizen arrest on him now.'

Locals have have spoken of their shock - and of their sympathy with the arrested man.

Karen Hughes, 47, said: 'It's sad someone has died, but if he hadn't been trying to rob the shop in the first place he'd still be alive today.

'The lad who restrained him clearly shouldn't be punished. He'll be going through hell now, when all he was trying to do was defend his community.'

Alan Hill, 65, said: 'The chap they've arrested should be released without charge. In my opinion he should be given a medal.

'Apparently the men trying to rob the shop had armed themselves golf clubs and baseball bats, it must have taken real bravery to challenge them.'

James Atkins, 37, said: 'Obviously you don't want people to die, especially when they're young, but it's hard to have much sympathy in this case.

'Hopefully they just arrested the other man as a precaution in all the confusion and he'll find out quickly no further action will be taken against him. I think a lot of people around here will see him as a hero.'

The thieving scum's scummy friends are boo-hooing all over social media, as these types often do.

They have organised a crowdfund for him, but I just can't see any possible way I can piss into this router...

Alex Williams, who is the the mother of Bryant's son, wrote that she was 'absolutely heartbroken' over his death, and the thought that their son no longer has a father.

Hint, love: He never had much of one when the thieving scum was alive.

A crowdfunding page has been set up for Shane by friend Serina Larvin who wrote on the site: 'As you all no a much loved friend of our community got taken away in unexpected circumstances.... 'He left behind two small children and a absolutely heartbroken family.... i thought it would be nice to raise some money to give to his children and help support the family in any way possible..... 'Any little donation im sure would be much appreciated..... just a little something to show our love and support.'

Remember when people were ashamed to be known as friends with scum? I do.

No Good Deed....

An elderly couple who took pity on a career criminal have told how he repaid them - by burgling their home.

D'oh!

But was there any indication he'd be a hopeless recidivist?

Duncan, a 33-year-old drug addict, took coins from a money box and also stole a Tiffany necklace and earrings.

He was jailed for three years at Teesside Crown Court for burglary and a New Years Eve robbery with his partner.

Ah.

His lawyer, John Nixon, said: “He expresses an apology to the family through me.”

Are you just reading that off a cue card?

*Giggles Uncontrollably*

A man has been charged with stealing his own barrister's mobile phone during an appearance at Bexley Magistrates' Court.

Bobby Heath, 25, of Simnel Road, Lee, allegedly took the phone at the court on May 1.

Heath was appearing in court to plead guilty to charges of possession of cannabis and driving without insurance.

I wonder who’ll represent him? Someone with a 10 year old Nokia?

But All Homeless Aren’t Addicts, We’re Always Told…

Church shelters for the homeless have had to bring in new sanctions after guests have taken legal highs with devastating effects.

Heh! You’ve got to have a heart of stone, haven’t you?

Paramedics had to be called to an incident at Shoebury Baptist Church after a homeless person took a legal high and collapsed, while on the same night last month two people were found to be hallucinating and started punching and barging into vehicles nearby.

On another occassion, legal highs were found in church toilets during a children's play session.

That’s nice…

Mr Simmons added: “We then took a very strong stance at the shelters and read the riot act to anyone coming in.

“We know they are on sale in Southend, but the police can’t do anything as they are legal.

“They are cheaper then (sic) illegal drugs and the police can’t do anything about it. The effects seem to be just as bad though.

“When we started cracking down it seemed to reduce the number quite dramatically. Maybe we have an incident once or twice a week now.”

You mean, when actions start to have consequences, we can begin to see an improvement?

Gosh! Well, I never…

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished…

A foodbank worker was left “heartbroken” after her mobile phone with treasured pictures of her young son was stolen as she helped people in need.

*searches for give-a-fuck-ometer*

Miss Lent said she was cleaning on Tuesday afternoon at the charity’s main centre in Charminster when a client (Ed: wha..?) asked for help.

“A client asked me to change something in their food parcel so I went out the back,” she said.

“I put my phone down with the cleaning products. I was only out there for a minute or so. When I went back to pick up the cleaning stuff the phone was gone.”

Miss Lent believes one of the foodbank users may have stolen the white iPhone 5 when she left the room. She said: “I was heartbroken. They are desperate so I get why they did it but I just want the phone back. I would pay to get it back.

“I just want the pictures. They weren’t backed-up and I’m not the kind of person to put them on Facebook. A year and a half of memories is on that phone.”

I’m reminded of the phrase ‘If God didn’t want ‘em shorn, he wouldn’t have made ‘em sheep’ once more…

H/T: @BBCPropaganda via Twitter

It Remains A Mystery To Progressives…

…just why firms don’t want to hire people with a criminal record. It must be prejudice, mustn’t it?

Whilst in prison drug dealer Stephen Owen was selected to work for key cutting and shoe repair company Timpsons as part of its scheme to give offenders a second chance.

Bolton Crown Court heard he had worked at the shop in Market Street, Bolton, for less than three months when he let himself into the building on the night of January 13 and raided the safe, taking £360, three watches and two phones belonging to customers along with 18 Zippo lighters.

But he couldn't help it! He has poor impulse control!

Martin Pizzey, defending, said the theft was a spur of the moment decision. He added: “He did not plan to break the trust of his employers or make a mess of the chance he had been given.

“He acted very foolishly and regrets that very much.”

Yes, I'm sure he does regret ... getting caught.

Owen, a father-of-one, had been released from jail part way through serving a three year prison sentence for dealing heroin.

Sentencing Owen to six months in prison for the Timpsons burglary, Recorder Karen Brody said that dishonesty was “deeply ingrained” in him.

Just as excessive leniency is ingrained in the court system.

Maybe That's Not What He Was Looking For..?

The 37-year-old carpenter said: "I can't stay here. He has come into my space – it's just wrong.

"The sad thing is all he had to do was ask for work and I would have given it to him. Instead he has broken into my house."

Mitigation should be awesome!

Defending, Sabha MacManus said Soth had moved out of his parents' home to be independent but his job did not work out.

She said he was ashamed to go home and ask for help. He had also exhausted his welcome at friends' houses.

She added that Soth had been accepted by the Prince's Trust on a course to learn skills for work.

Well, he's proved pretty good at house clearance, so there's one skill he doesn't need to learn...

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished…

A Big Issue middleman has been jailed for stealing more than £5,000.

James Woodley was supposed to collect money from sellers of the magazine and hand it to the distributors.

But a court heard he pocketed £5,500 before matters came to light.

Appalling! They have my sympathy, and…

Wait. What?

Chelmsford Crown Court also heard Woodley had stolen from his bosses before, but they kept him on after he said he would repay what he had stolen.

/facepalm

He’s got some front, mind you:

Woodley also admitted a burglary at the former Army garrison buildings in Flagstaff Road, Colchester, in January this year.

What a pity the Army weren't still patrolling at the time…

Marc Brown, mitigating, said Woodley’s offending stemmed from his addiction to drugs.

And again, an insult to the definition of the word ‘mitigation’!

Judge Sara Staite told Woodley: “The theft was a serious breach of trust and it was made worse by the fact you had stolen from them before, but they had been charitable and allowed you to continue working for them.”

More fool them. Hope their insurers refuse to pay out.

Consequences, Douglas Alexander…?

There won’t be any for you, will there?

Those now advocating the use of force have to accept that it can have unforeseen and often unpredictable consequences.

After all, we can’t make a British PM Peace Envoy to the Middle East twice running, can we?