'Lighter terms' for addict thefts

[motorollin]

Something else to add to the list of things which make Britain a f*cking disgrace.

Thieves who target vulnerable victims, such as the elderly, may not be sent to jail in future - if it is shown they were motivated by desperation or need.
At present, such offences attract a prison sentence of at least 18 weeks.

The Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC), which advises courts in England and Wales, will call for the use of more community orders in future.

...

Among other planned changes is a suggestion that thieves who steal from shops could escape prison even if they use force which causes a victim minor injuries.

So junkies will soon be able to attack people and steal from them, and as long as they can show that they were motivated by their "need" for drugs, they will be let out on the street. Great!

Full story

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moto

[motorollin]

whabang wrote:
The idea isn't too bad; starving people shouldn't be punished too hard for stealing a loaf of bread

Starving people don't choose to starve.

I really don't care about the motives of people who attack others and steal or damage other people's property. I don't care if they "need" drugs. I don't care what justification they want to give for their actions. I only care about the people who do these things being kept away from civilised members of society.

Here is my opinion. I think it's quite unethical to expect people who commit violent crimes to conform to society's expectations of decent behaviour. If these people want to behave like animals, then we should let them. They shouldn't be "caged" by civilisation. They should be released in to the wild where they can live their lives in the way they wish - as animals. Preferably in the middle of a rainforest so that they can never find their way back to civilisation.

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moto