[Cherie]

Originally Posted by AnnieK

I would imagine they have a pretty strong case to believe it was the child. If they have discovered the messages were sent from an IP at that house their first line of enquiry would have been with the person who pays the bill for the internet....or they have further investigated and found it to have been sent from a particular device....possibly phone / computer belonging to the child.

They arrested the wrong person initially in the case where the PC was killed during a quad bike theft so its not unknown for the police to knee jerk

[GiRTh]

Originally Posted by Cherie

They arrested the wrong person initially in the case where the PC was killed during a quad bike theft so its not unknown for the police to knee jerk

They do that dont they.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by GiRTh

They do that dont they.

Yes they do?

[AnnieK]

Originally Posted by Cherie

They arrested the wrong person initially in the case where the PC was killed during a quad bike theft so its not unknown for the police to knee jerk

They are known for knee jerk reactions, I'm not doubting that. What I meant though was they wouldn't have got the ip address and immediately thought that the 12 year old was responsible. They must either have had evidence, confession or the parent's telling them it was the 12 year old to make the arrest surely? If my IP pinged a criminal offense with the police I assume as the bill.payer I would have to prove it wasn't me committing the crime initially rather than them come in and instinctively decide it was the kid in the house.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by AnnieK

They are known for knee jerk reactions, I'm not doubting that. What I meant though was they wouldn't have got the ip address and immediately thought that the 12 year old was responsible. They must either have had evidence, confession or the parent's telling them it was the 12 year old to make the arrest surely? If my IP pinged a criminal offense with the police I assume as the bill.payer I would have to prove it wasn't me committing the crime initially rather than them come in and instinctively decide it was the kid in the house.

Or maybe they blamed the kid thinking that he wouldn't get in trouble over it hhmmmm They'd be right scumbags to do that though (but when you look at what was sent to that football player, it wouldn't be a stretch to think that they are)

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Or maybe they blamed the kid thinking that he wouldn't get in trouble over it hhmmmm They'd be right scumbags to do that though (but when you look at what was sent to that football player, it wouldn't be a stretch to think that they are)

It's a good point because as has been said, a 12 year old doesn't start posting racist abuse without being raised with that attitude (or at least by people who don't care enough to identify and address attitudes they're getting elsewhere, if it's coming from a friendship group). That being the case, I'd suggest it's perfectly plausible that the comments were posted by an adult and blamed on the 12 year old because the consequences are less likely to be severe (criminal charges, loss of employment etc.)

Either way, even assuming they did come from him, I personally think it's a stretch too far to brand a 12 year old "a racist" and to take any action other than an attempt at education. 12 ffs. They have absolutely no idea what they're doing or saying, it's becoming increasingly common to project adult motivations on kids these days and it's really troubling. Again, the -only- time it's appropriate to take further legal action against a child is when physical violence is involved.

Politicised winky-faces and whataboutery in a case involving a child is in very poor taste, is all I'll say. But hey, it's 2020.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

It's a good point because as has been said, a 12 year old doesn't start posting racist abuse without being raised with that attitude (or at least by people who don't care enough to identify and address attitudes they're getting elsewhere, if it's coming from a friendship group). That being the case, I'd suggest it's perfectly plausible that the comments were posted by an adult and blamed on the 12 year old because the consequences are less likely to be severe (criminal charges, loss of employment etc.)

Either way, even assuming they did come from him, I personally think it's a stretch too far to brand a 12 year old "a racist" and to take any action other than an attempt at education. 12 ffs. They have absolutely no idea what they're doing or saying, it's becoming increasingly common to project adult motivations on kids these days and it's really troubling. Again, the -only- time it's appropriate to take further legal action against a child is when physical violence is involved.

Politicised winky-faces and whataboutery in a case involving a child is in very poor taste, is all I'll say. But hey, it's 2020.

Yeah, I think a "re-education" type programme would be most appropriate although I'm not sure how successful that would be either if he's learning this stuff from his parents

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by GiRTh

I know what you posted. I always know but often find it confusing.

Do you? I thought it was pretty plain myself but whatever. Maybe I'm a bit too thick to transfer my thoughts adequately, I am Irish after all

[GiRTh]

Originally Posted by Cherie

Do you? I thought it was pretty plain myself but whatever. Maybe I'm a bit too thick to transfer my thoughts adequately, I am Irish after all

Its not plain at all. Hence my confusion.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Yeah, I think a "re-education" type programme would be most appropriate although I'm not sure how successful that would be either if he's learning this stuff from his parents

My thoughts are that a 12 year old is very likely to be an echo chamber of their parents and friends, and while those attitudes CAN follow them for life if they're not getting alternate input, it's far from too late. Before about 14 they're simply not neurologically capable of any real introspection at all. Plenty of adults look back on their attitudes from childhood/teens and are gobsmacked. The main issue with treating it harshly/shaming is that it doesn't usually "nip it in the bud" at all - it compounds and cements it. That's true even in adults, but if it happens at that age it's likely to be set in stone.