Would you ever shop your child to the police?

[Angus]

Oliver Garwood, 18 years old, has been sentenced to 2 years and 8 months for throwing a fire extinguisher from a roof during the student riots, after his mother turned him in to the police. I know it was a serious offence, but compared to some of the lenient sentences handed down to serial thugs and paedophiles, it seems draconian and his life is now probably ruined.

Would you shop your child (or any other close relative or friend for that matter) if you knew they had committed a serious crime?

[Niamh.]

probably not no.

[Jessica.]

Yes.

[Angus]

I think the only circumstance I could imagine me turning in my own child would be if I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had killed or seriously hurt someone, either deliberately or, for example, a hit and run, or that he was involved in paedophilia in ANY way, from downloading child porn to actually molesting a child. I would feel complicit in such crimes by keeping silent, apart from the fact that I believe there have to be consequences for such horrendous crimes.

[InOne]

If I know 100% that they were a rapist, or a paedophile then yes. Cos they'd be a danger to the public.

[Josy]

It would depend on the severity of the crime they had committed.

[Stephanie]

my mum has turned me into the police about something before. i definitely wouldn't though.

[Niamh.]

If I know 100% that they were a rapist, or a paedophile then yes. Cos they'd be a danger to the public.

yeah actually, I agree with this

[arista]

Yes


you need to Learn in Life.


Feel The Force

[arista]

"after his mother turned him in to"


by that time SkyNews had his photo on TV
then the BBC used it.

He was wanted by the police
his mother is Clever as because he turned himself in
the judge took that as a good thing.

[James]

In some cases you'd be doing them a favour by turning them in. It could give someone a chance to change their ways if they are involved in a pattern of getting in trouble. They might go on to commit more serious offences if you didn't and really mess their lives up.

The mother that encouraged her son to hand himself in over the student riots probably knew it was the best course of action, albeit difficult. He would probably been identified eventually anyway.

[Jordan.]

Same as what others said, that it'd come down to what the crime was.

For this I don't think she should have.

[Angus]

In some cases you'd be doing them a favour by turning them in. It could give someone a chance to change their ways if they are involved in a pattern of getting in trouble. They might go on to commit more serious offences if you didn't and really mess their lives up.

The mother that encouraged her son to hand himself in over the student riots probably knew it was the best course of action, albeit difficult. He would probably been identified eventually anyway.

In this case, you are probably correct, though that doesn't mitigate the fact that she feels responsible now for having done so, and of course at age 18 he has a criminal record which will follow him throughout his life. The sentence he got doesn't sound to me like they gave him much credit at all - it's positively draconian compared to what those who commit far worse crimes have received. Drunk drivers who actually kill someone get away with much lighter sentences.

I think they are making an example of this young man in view of the recent riots, to send out a warning message to students contemplating getting involved in further rioting.

[InOne]

Sort of comes down to the whole moral issue which is purely subjective. The "Would you steal a loaf of bread to feed your starving family" type thing

[Beastie]

It would depend on the severity of the crime they had committed.

This. I might be strict and want them to own up for the crime though even if it's small. Chances are if they can get away with a minor crime then they will do something bigger next time. However for a small offence I would not want to see them going to jail. Mmm.

[Beastie]

Oliver Garwood, 18 years old, has been sentenced to 2 years and 8 months for throwing a fire extinguisher from a roof during the student riots, after his mother turned him in to the police. I know it was a serious offence, but compared to some of the lenient sentences handed down to serial thugs and paedophiles, it seems draconian and his life is now probably ruined.

Would you shop your child (or any other close relative or friend for that matter) if you knew they had committed a serious crime?

It sounds a harsher sentence compared to the other people who have more lenient sentences and have done even worse things. If the dude who threw the fire extinguisher didn't hit anyone at the bottom or harm anyone then he should have a shorter sentence or maybe community service. I would not turn my daughter or son if they just threw a fire extinguisher. However if they harmed anyone with it then that's a different story.

[joeysteele]

If I know 100% that they were a rapist, or a paedophile then yes. Cos they'd be a danger to the public.

I would agree with this comment,its something I have discussed with my Grandparents and Parents who take the view they doubt they could ever do so but I think the above 2 crimes highlighted by InOne are too bad to ignore,also murder too.

If the day comes I ever have Children then I would hope to persaude them to give themselves up if they ever did great wrong but if that failed then for the above crimes I would feel I would have to act to protect others.

[MTVN]

Oliver Garwood, 18 years old, has been sentenced to 2 years and 8 months for throwing a fire extinguisher from a roof during the student riots, after his mother turned him in to the police. I know it was a serious offence, but compared to some of the lenient sentences handed down to serial thugs and paedophiles, it seems draconian and his life is now probably ruined.

Would you shop your child (or any other close relative or friend for that matter) if you knew they had committed a serious crime?

Oliver Garwood? :conf2: That wasnt his name, he was called Edward Woolard

It sounds a harsher sentence compared to the other people who have more lenient sentences and have done even worse things. If the dude who threw the fire extinguisher didn't hit anyone at the bottom or harm anyone then he should have a shorter sentence or maybe community service. I would not turn my daughter or son if they just threw a fire extinguisher. However if they harmed anyone with it then that's a different story.

It was throw into a crowd from a significant height though, could easily have seriously injured or perhaps killed someone.

Anyway, in answer to the question, I would if it was a serious offence but not for something minor

[BB_Eye]

If I had kids then yeah, I would turn them over and they would probably thank me later.

The only exception would be possession of something like cannabis or MDMA which I don't agree with the law on.

[Jack_]

Probably not no, but like someone else said it'd depend on the severity of the crime.

To be honest though, I'd probably only turn them in if I thought myself and/or the rest of my family were in danger...

[Livia]

Depending on the severity of the crime, yes I would probably turn them in. Although I would encourage them to turn themself in first.

If I had been this kid's mother, I would most definitely have turned him in. What kind of moron have you got to be to throw a fire extinguisher from a roof, into a crowd of people? University material? Probably not. Ironically, his sentence is about as long as it'd take for him to get a degree.

[Vicky.]

If I know 100% that they were a rapist, or a paedophile then yes. Cos they'd be a danger to the public.

Yeah this.

Though I'm not even sure if I would turn them over for murder, depending on the circumstances :/

[Niamh.]

Yeah this.

Though I'm not even sure if I would turn them over for murder, depending on the circumstances :/

I'd be the same

[Ninastar]

Yes


you need to Learn in Life.


Feel The Force

I agree. The child cant go around thinking they can get away with everything. If they know that there mother didn't hand them into the police about something wrong and possibly illegal, then they could end up doing worse

[Angus]

Depending on the severity of the crime, yes I would probably turn them in. Although I would encourage them to turn themself in first.

If I had been this kid's mother, I would most definitely have turned him in. What kind of moron have you got to be to throw a fire extinguisher from a roof, into a crowd of people? University material? Probably not. Ironically, his sentence is about as long as it'd take for him to get a degree.

I agree it was a moronic act, but my problem is with the sentence bearing in mind nobody was actually hurt(admittedly more by luck than judgment) but compared to the lenient sentences handed down to drunk drivers who kill, paedophiles who groom kids, and the like, it seems unduly harsh.

[Tom4784]

I'd only turn my kid in if they did something grave and If I thought they were still a danger to others. If they did something serious but it was an accident or something like that then I'd encourage them to turn themselves in but I wouldn't shop them.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

yes

[BB_Eye]

I agree it was a moronic act, but my problem is with the sentence bearing in mind nobody was actually hurt(admittedly more by luck than judgment) but compared to the lenient sentences handed down to drunk drivers who kill, paedophiles who groom kids, and the like, it seems unduly harsh.
But the fact that nobody got hurt doesn't make what he did any less wrong. The crime was in what he did, not the consequences. The same is true of drunk driving, speeding, etc. I see no reason to punish anybody more leniently/harshly, depending on how lucky they were.

I agree though that the sentence is harsh compared to the obscene verdicts typically handed out for violent crime and rape, both for which the UK has the lowest conviction rate in Europe (the conviction rates for most other crimes are more or less average and arguably quite fair), much less cases that actually carry custodial sentences or make it past the magistrates.

[Patrick]

And No I wouldn't, If my someone from my family had killed someone I wouldn't tell at all.

Although it depends on who they kill, if they killed someone I really loved then yeah of course I'd tell to get justice on the person I loved.

But other than that, no way.

Yes.

See this is why you have no friends.

[Patrick]

Probably not no, but like someone else said it'd depend on the severity of the crime.

To be honest though, I'd probably only turn them in if I thought myself and/or the rest of my family were in danger...

This, but then again they could get out in a few years and kill you. :shocked:

[Shasown]

Oliver Garwood, 18 years old, has been sentenced to 2 years and 8 months for throwing a fire extinguisher from a roof during the student riots, after his mother turned him in to the police. I know it was a serious offence, but compared to some of the lenient sentences handed down to serial thugs and paedophiles, it seems draconian and his life is now probably ruined.

Would you shop your child (or any other close relative or friend for that matter) if you knew they had committed a serious crime?

Edward Woolard, threw a fire extinguisher from the roof of Millbank Tower, a height of 118m into a street crowded with police and other students. He said he didnt intend anyone to get hurt, then why throw the fire extinguisher?

His life was ruined when he took the stupid decision to throw the extinguisher and followed through with it.

Yes I would shop one of my children if they committed a serious offence and they wouldnt own up and accept the consequences of their own actions.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

See this is why you have no friends.

i said that too

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VSrnkiWaqSQ/TMdBQsCZScI/AAAAAAAAAZI/r7M0LAXkxW0/s1600/forever+alone+face.png

[Livia]

I agree it was a moronic act, but my problem is with the sentence bearing in mind nobody was actually hurt(admittedly more by luck than judgment) but compared to the lenient sentences handed down to drunk drivers who kill, paedophiles who groom kids, and the like, it seems unduly harsh.

I don't disagree that the offences you mention get ridiculously lenient sentences sometimes. However, I would like to see drunk drivers and paedophiles get much longer sentences, instead of seeing the courts be more lenient with those who are jailed for public order offences.

[Locke.]

Only if it was something disgusting like rape or being a paedo.

Probably not with most other things.

[Stu]

Like David said only for things like rape and paedophilia. Even murder ... to be perfectly honest ... I wouldn't turn my child in for if I knew it was a once off blunder and he wasn't a rampant serial killer. I would protect my family like that no matter what.

[Zippy]

Oliver Garwood, 18 years old, has been sentenced to 2 years and 8 months for throwing a fire extinguisher from a roof during the student riots, after his mother turned him in to the police. I know it was a serious offence, but compared to some of the lenient sentences handed down to serial thugs and paedophiles, it seems draconian and his life is now probably ruined.

Would you shop your child (or any other close relative or friend for that matter) if you knew they had committed a serious crime?

His life is now ruined? LOL

that fire extinguisher couldve killed somebody....now THAT'S a life ruined. Several if you include those grieving.

So well done to the Mother. Now that really takes strength. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind and her son needed to be taught a lesson. And hopefully his sentence will deter other idiot (phoney)protesters from doing similar stupid dangerous acts that could kill.

Great Mother, great sentence. I have no children so can't imagine what I'd do.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

His life is now ruined? LOL

that fire extinguisher couldve killed somebody....now THAT'S a life ruined. Several if you include those grieving.

So well done to the Mother. Now that really takes strength. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind and her son needed to be taught a lesson. And hopefully his sentence will deter other idiot (phoney)protesters from doing similar stupid dangerous acts that could kill.

Great Mother, great sentence. I have no children so can't imagine what I'd do.

:lovedup:

[Kerry]

Like most have said, it really depends what had happened

The students mother I believe was just encouraging her son to own up for his own good and probably safety. His face was all over the news. I'm sure nobody is gullible enough to think the police would have left it at that....

[Zippy]

We went to the cinema several weeks ago and on the way we passed this huge 6 storey car park. Suddenly this big vodka bottle just landed a few feet from us...glass flying everywhere. My God we nearly had a heart attack. Looking up at we could see somebody at the top of the car park and they'd obviously dropped it deliberately.

Now that could have EASILY hit one of us and would have probably killed us. So you think the person who dropped it shouldn't have gotten a prison sentence? YES they certainly should. They are virtually playing russian roulette with peoples lives with such utter stupidity.

My mate, who's a passionate Brazilian, was enraged and wanted to get up there after them. But I dragged him away because a) we would miss the film b) we would never find them in a huge carpark c) they may beat the crap out of us. So they got away with it.

So I'm very happy to see a case where somebody did not get away with it. Whether his mother did the right thing by her son is debatable(most mothers wouldnt). But she certainly did the right thing for the rest of society. Hopefully his example stands as a deterrent to other mindless idiots risking the lives of others in a moment of madness.

[Angus]

Like most have said, it really depends what had happened

The students mother I believe was just encouraging her son to own up for his own good and probably safety. His face was all over the news. I'm sure nobody is gullible enough to think the police would have left it at that....

Of course he should face consequences for his stupid actions - I am questioning the severity of the punishment which is out of synch with far more serious crimes. It is this kind of inequitable justice that deters people from giving evidence or turning themselves or others in - this kid got no credit for doing so, therefore the mother must be wondering why she bothered since the fact of what she did will always remain between her and her son who, no doubt, views it as a betrayal.

I guess if my child ever committed a serious crime, to a large extent I would blame myself as I would wonder where I had gone wrong in bringing them up. Too many parents want to be a "friend" to their child rather than a Mum or Dad who offers guidance, discipline and protection.

[Beastie]

To be honest I do agree that this dude being imprisoned for throwing a fire extinguisher will make most others think twice about something like this in the future on one of these student protests or anywhere. This dude is serving a crime but is also an example of warning others not to make the same mistake. Therefore I suppose it is benefitting everyone.

[Angus]

To be honest I do agree that this dude being imprisoned for throwing a fire extinguisher will make most others think twice about something like this in the future on one of these student protests or anywhere. This dude is serving a crime but is also an example of warning others not to make the same mistake. Therefore I suppose it is benefitting everyone.



It does go to show how one reckless action committed in a heartbeat will have lifelong repercussions for this lad. The papers have printed the photos of some more students involved in the riots, all of whom must be crapping their pants now they know they can expect to be dealt with firmly by the courts.

[Niamh.]

Like David said only for things like rape and paedophilia. Even murder ... to be perfectly honest ... I wouldn't turn my child in for if I knew it was a once off blunder and he wasn't a rampant serial killer. I would protect my family like that no matter what.

yeah this ^ does that make me a bad person? maybe so but my family always comes first.

[Angus]

yeah this ^ does that make me a bad person? maybe so but my family always comes first.

I was reading about the case of a mother who turned her two sons, aged 25 and 27 in when she discovered they had been responsible for seriously assaulting a man and causing him to lose an eye - they were both drunk at the time.

Both her sons got quite long sentences and they no longer speak to her, and neither does half her family, so she paid a terrible price for doing the right thing but, as she put it, if it had been the other way around she would have wanted justice for her loved one who had been assaulted/raped/killed or whatever.

[Kazanne]

Oliver Garwood, 18 years old, has been sentenced to 2 years and 8 months for throwing a fire extinguisher from a roof during the student riots, after his mother turned him in to the police. I know it was a serious offence, but compared to some of the lenient sentences handed down to serial thugs and paedophiles, it seems draconian and his life is now probably ruined.

Would you shop your child (or any other close relative or friend for that matter) if you knew they had committed a serious crime?

In a heartbeat if it was a cruel or murderous act,but for what that lad did,as long as no one got hurt,maybe not,Yes he was an idiot,but guessing he just was not thinking of the consequences,he was probably showing off to his mates,very stupid thing he did,but the sentence does seem really harsh compared to worse crimes.

[MTVN]

In a heartbeat if it was a cruel or murderous act,but for what that lad did,as long as no one got hurt,maybe not,Yes he was an idiot,but guessing he just was not thinking of the consequences,he was probably showing off to his mates,very stupid thing he did,but the sentence does seem really harsh compared to worse crimes.

The funny thing is that if the fire extinguisher had hit someone and killed them you'd be calling for a life sentance, if not worse..

Actions have consequences, he's going to learn that the hard way.

[Beastie]

It does go to show how one reckless action committed in a heartbeat will have lifelong repercussions for this lad. The papers have printed the photos of some more students involved in the riots, all of whom must be crapping their pants now they know they can expect to be dealt with firmly by the courts.

Yes the next ones to be caught will be sharing a cell with the fire extinguisher dude. What the hey. It was for a good cause. Maybe the fire extinguisher dude will sell some stories once he is out of jail. Or.. maybe.. Not.

[Kazanne]

The funny thing is that if the fire extinguisher had hit someone and killed them you'd be calling for a life sentance, if not worse..

Actions have consequences, he's going to learn that the hard way.

I DID say 'as long as no one got hurt' totally different if he had hit someone,then i would have turned him in myself,hopefully he will learn his lesson,what makes you think I would be calling for a life sentence or worse?

[Captain.Remy]

If I know 100% that they were a rapist, or a paedophile then yes. Cos they'd be a danger to the public.

I agree.

If the crime is not so important (dealing drugs etc...) then my child would better hope I turn him to the police because the punishment he'd get from me would be far worse than jail.

[Shasown]

Yes the next ones to be caught will be sharing a cell with the fire extinguisher dude. What the hey. It was for a good cause. Maybe the fire extinguisher dude will sell some stories once he is out of jail. Or.. maybe.. Not.

"How an extinguisher wrecked my rectum" by Edward "c wing bitch" Woolard - A butt clenchingly good read.

[Zippy]

In some cases you'd be doing them a favour by turning them in. It could give someone a chance to change their ways if they are involved in a pattern of getting in trouble. They might go on to commit more serious offences if you didn't and really mess their lives up.

The mother that encouraged her son to hand himself in over the student riots probably knew it was the best course of action, albeit difficult. He would probably been identified eventually anyway.

this

I meant to add to my post that far from ruining his life it could be the making of his life. Depends whether he learns from it or not.

[Beastie]

"How an extinguisher wrecked my rectum" by Edward "c wing bitch" Woolard - A butt clenchingly good read.

:hugesmile: