I Think We Have Differing Views On What Constitutes ‘A Constructive Sentence Which Would Benefit The Community’…

Mr Kelcey urged for a constructive sentence which would benefit the community as well as his client.

Sadly, instead of a bullet to the back of the head, he was handed ‘12 months of drug treatment and supervision’.

His client is one of those ‘minor’ criminals we call shoplifters. But that doesn't mean that he doesn't get the full Suite of Excuses deployed for him!

The court heard he was genuinely remorseful and showing insight about where continued addiction could take him.

Ah. So, in a fit of remorse, he confessed and turned himself in? Not exactly…

Timothy Hills, prosecuting, said Stephens went to Sainsbury's in Gloucester Road and was caught on CCTV slipping three bottles of spirit inside his jacket.

When he returned later staff caught him and he was arrested, telling police he had been asked to steal by a couple of lads.

On Christmas Eve last year Stephens struck at a Sainsbury's at the top of Gloucester Road, said Mr Hills, and when chased pulled out a syringe and pointed it towards security staff.

He ran off and was arrested later but, whilst on bail, was arrested for stealing two bottles of wine from Tesco Express in Broadmead.

He refused to be interviewed or give a DNA test.

I guess ‘remorseful’ is being redefined along with ‘constructive’…

Modern Day Policing In A Nutshell

“Someone stole your phone? You know where it is? Meh…. Too busy”

An RAF navigator who was taken hostage during the Gulf War has criticised police for failing to confront a mobile phone thief — despite being told of its exact location.

Mr Nichol, 48, told LBC that tracking software revealed its location in south London, but said: “The police can’t ask, ‘Have you mistakenly got this mobile phone?’ because they are too busy.”

“Someone was mean or rude on the Internet? Someone employed by a political oversight posting we didn’t want? We’ll be right there!”

Social media messages written by Britain's first youth crime commissioner are being investigated by police, following complaints from the public.

Kent Police officers are to decide whether Paris Brown, 17, has committed any offences in writing allegedly violent, racist and anti-gay comments on her Twitter feed.

Meanwhile, the car crash that is Ann Barnes is still rolling off the motorway, spraying bits of flaming metal and bodywork in all directions:

Mrs Barnes, 67, who is paying £5,000 of Miss Brown's salary from her own pay, said she did not condone the nature of the tweets but asked for some perspective due to Miss Brown's age.

She said the teenager was one of 164 applicants for the job, intended to provide young people's views on policing, and she was the best one and a "confident and articulate woman".

But she told BBC News that the teenager's Twitter account had not been vetted when they offered her the job.

D'oh!!!

"We went through a perfectly normal recruitment process and we had her vetted by the force," she said.

By the force, eh? Hmmm...

A Kent Police spokeswoman said: "Kent Police undertakes varying levels of vetting and higher levels of vetting can include checks on a social media account."

But didn't in this case? How very unfortunate for the hapless Barnes. And how very gratifying for a police force vehemently opposed to such a political imposition...

"Nobody normally looks through anybody's Twitter feed - perhaps that's a lesson for the future. We are living in a different world now."

Yes, we are. One, I suspect, you aren't equipped to play in.

The Biter Bit…

Met Police PCSO Curt Capell was horrified to return from having his haircut to discover a penalty charge notice slapped on his car’s windscreen in Oaklands Car Park, Bexleyheath. The 28-year-old, of Wessex Drive, Slade Green, said: "I told him it says free parking and showed him the sign.

"I asked the officer to cancel but he said I would have to contest it because ‘my boss has told me to do it and I’ll get sacked if I do’.

"Is this what the country is coming to?"

Ooooh, jobsworths! Unable to listen to reason, going only 'by the book'. Bet you don't see a lot of that in your day job, eh?

Meanwhile, over in Sidcup chaos broke out in Main Road Car Park as two parking wardens slapped fines on unsuspecting motorists’ cars.

John Coleman arrived with his two sons around noon and said he was told by the attendant: "We know it’s free, but we want you to dispute the ticket directly with the council after we issue it and you will then not pay."

The 35-year-old, of Carlton Road, Welling, said this infuriated the crowds of people gathered next to the machine and that police officers arrived to ease tensions.

Does that ever happen? Or does it just raise the overall temperature?

A Bexley Council spokeswoman said: “We sincerely apologise to the four motorists who received Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) in error on Good Friday and confirm that these have been cancelled to avoid further inconvenience for the affected motorists.

“We are in discussion with our contractor to prevent further similar instances from occurring in the future. ”

Perhaps hiring smarter contractors would help?

Do You Want It Fast, Or Do You Want It Truthful?

Because when it comes to council PR, there’s apparently a conflict:

Southend Council has apologised to protesters who were forced to remove t-shirts bearing the slogan "Scrap The Cabinet".

Southend Council issued the apologies for the "inaccuracies" of an original statement, which claimed protesters Mark Sharp, Patsy Link and Sheena Walker had been given a choice of covering up the slogans or leaving the meeting.

But the protesters had always argued that they were never given the option, leaving them sitting half naked for the meeting in the Civic Centre on February 28.

How can such a situation have arisen?

In the apology, Mr Holdcroft and Mr Tinlin said: "In assisting the press with a swift response, some inaccuracies appeared in the council's statement."

Ah, I see – you rushed out a statement based on what you assumed (or maybe hoped) had happened, rather than what had actually taken place.

Oh. And note the passive again – they ‘appeared’. As if by magic! Untouched by human hands!

"This is regrettable and we wish to apologise to you for this. "As a result of your complaint, we can confirm that we are reviewing the way we issue press statements."

You mean, you’ll actually try to ascertain what went on first before rushing our a PR response next time?

Stop! You'll Have Me In Tears!

Glen Bartlett, of Jefferies Solicitors, who is the Criminal Law Representative on the Southend and District Local Law Society, said: “The view of the defence solicitors is that it will be a very sad day when the Southend Crown Courts are closed. It will be a substantial blow for natural justice.”

This is a pre-emptive strike. They haven't actually formally announced their closure yet!

He said it would make it difficult for the unemployed to travel to court, meaning many defendants will not have the support of family and friends.

Oh dear! Time to haul out an old favourite!

With thanks to The Jannie for reminding me of this one by email...

There Were Giants On The Earth In Those Days...

Oh, so very different from the political pygmies we see before us now...

Some aspects of the Left were - predictably - vile, as if anyone cared what they thought. Yesterday was a time for reflection on the differences she made to all our lives. It can't be understated that she really changed the face of politics for the better.

Everyone has a favourite quote. This is mine:

"One great problem of our age is that we're governed by people who care more about feelings than thoughts and ideas."

A quote that reminded me about Anna Raccoon's post, which I'd been reading just hours before the news..

The Return Of The Modern Definition Of ‘Of Good Character’

Indy Bhomra, defending, said: “My client is of a good character and she is extremely remorseful about what happened.

“She has four children at home who rely on her and is surviving on benefits.”

Four children and a sick dog. Has anyone thought to check to see what they might be suffering from?

Owner Deborah Philips knew the mastiff dog, called Rebel, was suffering from a severe eye and anal infection but had ignored pleas by vets to get the animal treated, Birmingham Magistrates Court heard.

Inspectors from animal charity the RSPCA came to the dog’s rescue after Phillips’ 15-year-old daughter raised the alarm, said Gaynor Sutton, prosecuting.

“The teenager answered the door and said the dog had collapsed and was dying,” said Mrs Sutton.

“Inspectors saw the dog on the floor, unable to stand or even hold up its own head.”

Now, you are saying, if she’s on benefits, surely she qualifies for…

Hold that thought!

She said Philips was questioned over the dog’s condition and revealed she had called animal charity the PDSA about it.

“The PDSA asked her to bring the dog in but she said she didn’t as she didn’t have any transport,” added Mrs Sutton.

“She came up with a series of pathetic excuses as to why she could not take him to the vets.”

I'm guessing if her children need a doctor, the same thing will happen?

Question: When Is A ‘Shared Space’ Not A Shared Space?

Answer: Errrr, Southend Council will have to get back to you on that one…

Controversial shared space zone on Southend seafront is set to close overnight for three weeks to make it safer for pedestrians to cross. Marine Parade will be shut between 7pm and 7.30am from Mondays to Saturdays, starting on April 15, to allow four informal crossings to be installed in an area where two children were involved in accidents.

‘Informal’ crossings..?

Complaints about the shared space zone, in which pedestrians, drivers and cyclists are encouraged to mix freely, emerged shortly after it opened in March 2011.

Actually, they were around long before that! And they have, ever since opening, been pooh-poohed by Southend Council, who insisted they were perfectly safe and would not be changed.

Until they were.

So, just how will these ‘non-shared-space’ areas look?

The new paving will appear as wavy grey and white lines running at right-angles to the pavements. They will be positioned outside Chinnerys, the Hope Hotel, Circus Circus arcade and the Happidrome.

Basically, then, like washed-out zebra crossings? Isn't that going to be even more confusing?

Because You're The Real Victim...

A pet owner told a jury how she couldn't breath (sic) after her dog clamped its jaws around another in an attack she described as “awful”.

Leeds Crown Court heard that spaniel Ted was left “with its belly and intestines hanging out”.

Injuries that were unsurvivable. The spaniel's owner, a 16 year old girl who had stopped to ask Breen if she was OK after seeing her slip over, was distraught as she recounted the details in court...

Clare Breen said she was walking Mastiff-Labrador cross Jerry and another dog, Becky, in Lund Park, Keighley, on July 29, 2012, when she said she fell and Becky slipped from her collar.

Breen said: “She (Becky) was bounding about and wanted to play. She was sort of lolloping about a bit sort of around me and wanting me to chase her.”

Defending, Michael Collis asked what was the reaction of Ted’s owner, 16-year-old Lucinda McGrath, who was nearby. “She was making alarming noises. Screaming, but not loudly in terror, but just screaming, screeching and kicking out towards Becky,” Breen said.

Hardly surprising...

Miss McGrath alleges that Becky, a white American Bulldog, bit her hand. Breen said she was tying Jerry to a bin, so she was free to control Becky, when he lunged and bit Ted. She said Jerry was usually a “sofa potato.”

Ah, yes. That old familiar 'He's never done that before!'..

After the attack Breen, who has fostered rescue dogs for seven years, went to find Miss McGrath’s father. “I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t stop shaking or crying. The whole shock of everything had knocked me sidewards,” said Breen, of Malsis Crescent, Keighley.

Really? Imagine how the 16 year old who'd seen her beloved pet torn apart in front of her felt...

Miss McGrath’s mother, Andrea McInerny, told the court she heard Breen talking to her partner. “I just heard a woman’s voice say, ‘my dogs attacked your dog,”

Mrs McInerny said. Under cross-examination Mr Collis said Mrs McInerny could not be sure Breen meant ‘my dogs attacked your dog’, meaning more than one dog, or if she meant ‘dog’s’ as an abbreviation of ‘dog has.’

Breen admitted she told the family she would have both dogs put down, because she wanted to put things right, but yesterday told the court that Becky had done nothing wrong.

Apart from be beyond your control?

She was accused of lying in order to protect Becky, who she had owned for several years longer than Jerry. Prosecuting, Louise Azmi said: “I suggest you’re shifting blame from one dog to another.”

Breen replied: “They’re both my dogs. It’s like having two children and saying you love one more than the other because one’s older and you’ve had it longer.”

*speechless*

She said she took full responsibility for what Jerry had done.

Breen denies being the owner of a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control. The trial continues.

Not any more:

An American bulldog did not bite a teenage girl’s hand during a dog attack in a park, a jury has ruled.

The night of the attack, Breen sent Jerry back to the rescue home she had got him from five months earlier and Becky stayed with her.

So she failed to have EITHER dog put down, as she promised?

Becky was removed by West Yorkshire Police four days after the attack, the court heard, to test her breed after there were suggestions the dogs may be pit bull terriers. The dogs have not been returned.

Judge Scott Wolstenholme said to the jury: “You’ve got pictures (of the dogs) and they are not pit bulls. This case is not about pit bulls which are dangerous dogs and banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.” 

Breen was found not guilty, but a lesser charge, of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control in a public place, was put to Breen regarding Jerry’s attack on Ted.

Judge Wolstenholme sat as a District Judge to take the guilty plea. The crime is usually dealt with by magistrates. Breen, of Malsis Crescent, Keighley, will be sentenced for that charge on Monday at Leeds Crown Court.

I hope she dresses for the occasion...

Maybe if she loses, she plans to claim discrimination on 'special victim' grounds?

Much As I Hate To Agree With Keith Vaz...

..he's got a point:

Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select committee, said: ‘I am deeply shocked by these disclosures.

This individual must be removed from their post immediately. Public money should never be given to anyone who refers to violence, sex, drunkenness and other anti-social behaviour in this offensive manner. The Government must now reconsider its point blank refusal to publish a national list of all the appointments made by Crime Commissioners – as requested by my committee.

‘The public has a right to know who they are, how they were appointed and their full backgrounds. That is the best way to stop irresponsible and unsuitable people being taken on.’

At a time when real police Tweeters live in fear of professional standards or are forced to churn out nothing but anodyne crime safety information, this is an insult.