Do You Agree

[brionon]

that the Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce story has become idiotic ? Prison after their lives are already ruined. For such a minor offence.

[ichkeria]

The amazing thing about Vicky Pryce is that she decided to take revenge on her ex-husband by blowing the whistle on him for an offence she herself was complicit in.
There was a question last week about stupidity in intelligent people. This is surely a good example.

[ludwig]

Yes, I think a prison sentence is too harsh.

[TheOtherHalf]

It does seem a bit harsh although they do deserve some form of punishment for wasting police time etc also. But its us, the taxpayer that will be paying for them to be in prison

[New Judge]

As has been said, the offence is not trivial. It carries a maximum of life imprisonment and even seemingly less serious examples such as this one usually attract custodial sentences. The reason this is so is that for the justice system to retain any credibility it has to insist that people do not mislead the courts or attempt to interfere with justice in any way. The original offence (“swapping” the penalty points) was a clear and deliberate act contrived to ensure that Mr Huhne did not receive the due penalty that was due to him.

However, look at it this way. Often on AB we hear (particularly of politicians or “the rich”) that there is one law for “them” and one for “us”. The sentencing guidelines (which the judge is bound to follow unless there are compelling reasons for him not to do so) suggest that custody is appropriate in this instance. How will you feel if “they” get away without custody whilst “we” might not be treated so leniently?

The only potential pitfall I see is that recently the maximum term of imprisonment that could be suspended was twelve months. This has recently been increased to twenty-four months. I believe the sentencing guidelines for the offence suggest around 15 months. This previously could not be suspended but now it can. I just wonder if the judge might be “minded” to suspend the sentence in this particular case.

[emmie]

some will feel cheated i suspect if that happens, but quite honestly they should have their heads clunked together....

[pdq1]

Just shows what a pretty woman who gets in the way of a marriage can do. Either I should go to Specsavers or Chis Huhne should.

[ludwig]

// As has been said, the offence is not trivial //

Clearly not. It's not as is she lied to cover up a murder he'd committed though. A long sentence for that would obviously be correct. For what they did I'm not so sure.

// How will you feel if “they” get away without custody whilst “we” might not be treated so leniently? //

Obviously outraged, but my surprise at the sentence isn't anything to do with who they are. I'd be saying I thought it was harsh whoever it was.

[emmie]

you hear the same words, if it was joe bloggs they would go to prison, well they aren't exactly joe bloggs and they may go to prison... personally i couldn't care less, hubris is fine if you can get away with it....

[brionon]

I think that Joe Bloggs Would get off without prison.

[ludwig]

I must admit I had less sympathy for him when I saw his number plate was HU HNE.

[albaqwerty]

The story has been idiotic from the start, and done by 2 idiots in the first places
(I'm sure there's a better word than done, but I'm thawing out here)

What were their sentences please, I've missed the news.

[emmie]

i wonder if they would, this isn't trivial, stupid yes, but not trivial. And now we have in the mix is whether Vicky Pryce told Vince Cable and other members of the Lib Dems about taking the penalty points, if so they are up to their necks ..

[emmie]

it hasn't yet, but soon

http://news.sky.com/story/1062888/huhne-and-pryce-in-court-for-sentencing

[eastern]

As we always say the punishment should fit the crime and the crime here was perverting the course of justice. As for bunging them in jail I don't know, but there is no doubt they are going to be used as a high profile example. One things for sure come this evening shes going to find a whole new meaning to the word "bitch".

[emmie]

can we first not use that term, second if her ex had not asked her to take the points none of this would have happened. She is guilty of stupidity on doing so..

[mushroom25]

it's been reported that it cost £79k to prosecute him, £38k to prosecute her and an extra £31k was incurred because of his attempts to halt the proceedings.

was there really such an overwhelming public interest to be served by prosecuting them at such a large cost to the taxpayer?

[albaqwerty]

As they have been found guilty, shouldn't they have to pay all legal fees incurred?
If that bankrupts them so be it, 3 little points have ruined a family and cost tax-payers a load of dosh and the tax-payers haven't finished yet.

[emmie]

and the flipping outcry of it's not fair, just because they are well off, well connected, one rule for them sort of comments, that is not to say that they will go to jail, that is up to the judge to determine.

[emmie]

according to news Chris Huhne is a very wealthy man, so unlikely to be bankrupted..