[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]

Originally Posted by angus58

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.

Originally Posted by Jessica.

Yes.

See this is why you have no friends.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by 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...

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

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by angus58

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]

Originally Posted by Patrick

See this is why you have no friends.

i said that too

[Livia]

Originally Posted by angus58

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]

Originally Posted by angus58

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]

Originally Posted by Zippy

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.

[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]

Originally Posted by ~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....

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]

Originally Posted by thebeast

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.]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[Angus]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

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]

Originally Posted by angus58

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]

Originally Posted by kazanne

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]

Originally Posted by angus58

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]

Originally Posted by MTVN

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]

Originally Posted by InOne

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]

Originally Posted by thebeast

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.