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olePigeon · Feb 17, 2005, 02:19 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/c...re/4272041.stm

Hah. Cool.

Kenneth · Feb 17, 2005, 02:23 PM

Smile for the camera.

malvolio · Feb 17, 2005, 03:15 PM

A few excerpts from the article:

Park was given an 11-month jail term by magistrates in Cambridge on Tuesday after admitting burglary.

"The burglary was a real violation of my private space but at least he got caught.
"I just wish he'd got a longer sentence."

Magistrates heard Park, who has more than 13 previous convictions for theft, had stolen computer equipment and other property with a value of nearly £4,000 from Mr Grisby's study.
He committed the offence in February while on bail after being charged with an attempted burglary in Ely, Cambridgeshire, in August.

Only 11 months?! Guy's a freaking career criminal from the sound of it.
The UK needs a 3-strikes law.

mitchell_pgh · Feb 17, 2005, 03:38 PM

with 11 month sentences, it's a wonder why there aren't more criminals in the UK. Criminals over here could do that on their head.

Xeo · Feb 17, 2005, 03:51 PM

Yeah that is BS. The guy not only burgles for a living, but he gets caught a LOT. And here he is getting caught red handed and he gets only 11 months. What kind of crap is that?

olePigeon · Feb 17, 2005, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by Xeo:
...he gets only 11 months. What kind of crap is that?

Free room and board?

m a d r a · Feb 17, 2005, 05:38 PM

and in the UK you get automatic remission of between 50% and two thirds of your sentence, if you behave yourself while in prison. plus any time you spent in custody awaiting trial is deducted from your sentence as well, so he'll likely only serve 3 or 4 months.

oh yeah. and if you catch an intruder in your house and do anything to harm them, you'll be the one facing a jail term yourself.

the UK legal system is a joke.

Mafia · Feb 17, 2005, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by m a d r a:
the UK legal system is a joke.

indeed.

Wiskedjak · Feb 17, 2005, 06:32 PM

Originally posted by m a d r a:
the UK legal system is a joke.

And yet, the US and UK have similar crime rates
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/cri_tot_cri_cap

effgee · Feb 17, 2005, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by Wiskedjak:
And yet, the US and UK have similar crime rates
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/cri_tot_cri_cap

Overall crime rates - probably. Burglary - nope.

7. United Kingdom 13.91 per 1000 people
16. United States 7.23 per 1000 people

Wiskedjak · Feb 17, 2005, 07:14 PM

Originally posted by effgee:
Overall crime rates - probably. Burglary - nope.

7. United Kingdom 13.91 per 1000 people
16. United States 7.23 per 1000 people

Yes, but I'm responding to the statement of the UK legal system and am therefore talking about the overall crime rates.

Sherwin · Feb 17, 2005, 10:50 PM

Originally posted by Wiskedjak:
Yes, but I'm responding to the statement of the UK legal system and am therefore talking about the overall crime rates.

Depends on how efficient the police are and the resulting actual crime to caught for it crime ratio. Our police are pretty much completely useless at catching crims these days.

sideus · Feb 17, 2005, 10:57 PM

Someone find the story of that farmer in the UK that shot two intruders, which the farmer went to prison for.

Sherwin · Feb 17, 2005, 10:59 PM

Originally posted by sideus:
Someone find the story of that farmer in the UK that shot two intruders, which the farmer went to prison for.

http://www.tonymartinsupportgroup.org/

One of the three criminals who targeted Tony Martin has been granted legal aid to sue him for 'loss of earnings'. The poor man has since been scraping a living dealing heroin to keep body and soul together - altogether a most worthy recipient of taxpayers money. And in a last vindictive gesture by the authorities, he was released the Friday before Tony Martin. A professional criminal who has never had a job in his life - and the Probation Service is happy he'll go straight - two thirds off his sentence. A law-abiding citizen who only ever wanted to live in peace on his farm only gets half the remission.

Note that the crim in question wasn't actually in jail for the burglary.
Since that story quoted was written, he's back inside on yet another charge (can't remember what it was for, sorry).

Disgruntled Head of C-3PO · Feb 17, 2005, 11:11 PM

I actually caught someone in my place that should be there using EVO cam and my iSight. The best thing is even if they take the camera and the computer it is too late as it uploads the pic when it sees movement.