Post Title Of The Month

Anna Raccoon sums up the close to a very sorry saga of British 'justice':

Quote Of The Month

The inimitable Anna Raccoon weighs in on the De Freitas case:

"As it happens, the CPS declined to bring rape charges against Mr Economou, and given the flimsy evidence they have considered sufficient to support prosecution in the past couple of years, one could sardonically surmise that Mr Economou must have been able to prove that since a date roughly six months before Ms de Freitas was even born, he had at all times been accompanied by the Archbishop of Canterbury, a company of armed Highgate feminists, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, not to mention corralled in Guantanamo prison."

Post Of The Month

Tim Worstall on independent vs established charities.

Ah, That Old Favourite...

...the SODDI* defence:

Bethan Jones, defending, told the court Griffiths claims he had been attacked and knocked unconscious by another man over a drugs-related matter.

The alleged attacker had then cut off Victor’s ears and threatened to do the same to Griffiths.

Ms Jones said Griffiths had suffered a serious brain injury 14 months ago which had also affected his mobility and strength and his left arm was paralysed.

She said he physically would not have been capable of carrying out the attack.

And, let me guess, incapable of working for a living too?

About time he suffered another brain injury. I'm sure the inmates will oblige, should he actually get any time behind bars.

* Some Other Dude Did It

Post Title Of The Month: Special Brexit Edition

A dead heat, with Bill Sticker:

And Mark Wadsworth:

...both in a photo finish!

Quote Of The Month: Special Brexit Edition

A welcome return to blogging for Woman On A Raft:

"A signal has been sent to the European Union - specifically Ms Merkel - "This is not your border to open." Germany has twice plunged Europe in to war. This signal prevents them from making the same old mistake but in a new way: i.e. thinking they own the place.

Now, let us have a cup of tea and remember we are British. Exactly as we were yesterday."

Post Of The Month: Special Brexit Edition

LegIron on the aftermath of the Referendum.

The Body Condition Of The Owner Isn't As Low...

...the moral condition, well, that's quite another matter:

The body condition of both dogs was scored at one out of nine on a scale used by vets, the worst rating possible.

The pictures make me want to have five minutes in a locked room with the 'woman' concerned...

The court heard Barlow began caring for the dogs when her ex-partner was jailed.

Lovely!

She told Inspector Smith her then partner’s mother had initially looked after the dogs, but Barlow had been forced to take over when she was hospitalised in July last year. Barlow said Booma had not been eating but admitted not taking them to see a vet or calling the RSPCA.

But maybe I'm too hasty? Maybe she didn't have the resources to fe...

Oh.

Mr Mitchell said the defendant also had her own dog, another male Staffie called Chaos, which appeared well fed and in good condition, and supplies of dog food were found in the kitchen.

She hasn't gone short of any meals either.

Scott Phillips, representing Barlow, told the court his client, a chef in a local restaurant, accepted full responsibility for the deaths of both dogs. He said: “She knows she is going to lose her own dog as well and that will destroy her.”

If only that wasn't meant figuratively.

Judge Shaw said: “The picture described of Bandit curled up unresponsive by his dead friend is a very sad one.” He sentenced Barlow to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for one year, and ordered her to complete a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement course.

*sighs*

She was also banned from keeping animals for five years and ordered to surrender Chaos to the RSPCA.

Poor beast had a lucky escape.

Actually, Antoine, I Think You'll Find There's Another Option...

Negative images of black teenagers aren’t at the top of the search results because Google is racist, but because society reflects our institutional and subconscious prejudices.

If people want to see positive images of black young people they are going to have to start writing, searching, reading and sharing them. This is the only way to change the negative perception of black teenagers, and black people.

Or black teenagers could stop murdering each other in such numbers that they are the leading cause of death in their areas?

We Don't Have An Unlimited Pot Of Money...

....so just why should we double our efforts?

Andy Winter, chief executive of Brighton Housing Trust, said: "I don't believe anyone is a lost cause.

"What everyone of us needs to be doing is doubling our efforts when there is a window of opportunity - and there always is a window of opportunity - to respond in a timely fashion and to help people get the support they need."

So, the support services are under strain, are they? Well...no:

"Brighton and Hove is incredible lucky to have such a range of support services available.

"But people do struggle to understand the system and it is the practical reality of the way it works.

"It does take effort of all parties to do something that will be effective to that individual in dire circumstances."

Yes. All parties.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “It’s a sad case. However, we cannot pre-empt any inquest, which we would expect to provide full details of the involvement of care agencies.

“We always do all we can within the law and our resources to help people but some have multiple, complex issues. We rely on their co-operation and engagement, which is not always forthcoming."

Hmmm, I'm sensing a pattern here...

Before he died, Sonny had moved on from various temporary accommodation homes, hostels and hospitals for treatment relating to his legs, drugs problems, and mental health issues.

He had been in contact with mental health services, housing departments and hospitals across Brighton and Worthing - but his family have told how he did not attend some appointments and could not understand the system.

His grandmother Jennifer Tingay said: "I tried everything I could to help him but I think there should have been more help for him."

Seems like there was enough. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.