Riot appeals

In the immediate wake of the riots in August, there was a lot of nonsense talked in robing rooms up and down the country about how OTT the sentences were.  I had a discussion with one barrister who felt that the rioters should have been dealt with like shoplifters and sentenced on the basis of their actions, e.g. stealing a packet of cigarettes, with the courts ignoring the context in which the offences occurred.

Now that a bit of time has passed and the Court of Appeal is starting to uphold the sentences I have to ask whether anybody is really surprised at the sentences that were handed out?

Comments

  1. Anonymous19 October 2011 at 22:22

    The Magistrates Blog was, disappointingly, one of those who seemed to suggest the sentences were too harsh. I am delighted the higher courts agree that the context of riot is relevant when sentencing.

    ReplyDelete

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