Judy Finnigan

[Deskdiary]

When I saw the headlines this morning I had a sharp intake of breath - surely a woman wouldn't 'excuse' rape?

However, having now seen a transcript, what she actually said was (lifted from the BBC website);

"If he does go back, he will have to brave an awful lot of comments," said Finnigan during her debut appearance on the lunchtime programme.

"But, having said that, he has served his time, he's served two years.

"The rape - and I am not, please, by any means minimising any kind of rape - but the rape was not violent, he didn't cause any bodily harm to the person.

"It was unpleasant, in a hotel room I believe, and she [the victim] had far too much to drink.

"That is reprehensible but he has been convicted and he has served his time."

Ultimately she's right, isn't she?

As unpleasant as this man is, he has served his time, and therefore shouldn't he be allowed to continue to pursure his chosen career?

[DTCwordfan]

Ms Finnegan should have been a lot more careful in the way that she put this case over on the airways. This thread adequately expresses the danger of such wording as she used. She recognised that she could have expressed herself better and has apologised......the subject of whether this man returns to his old profession and same team is another one. Personally, I think he'll b elucky to find another club in the UK to take him on, not unless some Scottish team is desperate to improve their pool of players.

[janbee]

What do you mean "the rape wasn't violent"? Are you serious?? ALL, I repeat ALL rape is violent. It is a VIOLENT crime. It is against somebody's will. It is forcing yourself UNWANTED onto another person. I don't care if the victim was drunk. Shame on the rapist and shame on you for not condemning him. As for that Finnigan woman.. her opinion is worthless... on everything !

[Dee Sa]

of course he wants his job back where else could he earn that sort of money ? I would not let him back if it was up to me, theres no guarantee that if he is back living the high life that he wont reoffend.

[agchristie]

He was a prolific goalscorer. What's the betting a club threatened with relegation will come knocking?

[gness]

To answer your question DD.....well the answer may be coloured by personal experience in some cases....

For me, a rapist should never be allowed freedom...let alone pursue his chosen career....won't happen...I'm not that daft.....but it's what I would want...x

[andy-hughes]

naomi24 - "andy-hughes, If he’s been to prison for it, then Judy is right. He’s paid the penalty (no pun intended) and he should be allowed to resume his life – but perhaps you’d rather he be punished ad infinitum?

May i refer you to my post at 10:57 - "Deskdiary - my apologies for the sidetracking of your original question - should this man be allowed to continue his career?

In my view, he should be allowed to continue his career, although circumstances appear to rule out a return to his former club.

Our justice system works on the basis of crime and punishment, and there is no apparent bar to a footballer resuming his playing career after a prison sentence, however unpleasant a person he may appear to be."

So no, I would not 'rather he was punished ad infinitum'.

[andy-hughes]

janbee - "What do you mean "the rape wasn't violent"? Are you serious?? ALL, I repeat ALL rape is violent. It is a VIOLENT crime. It is against somebody's will. It is forcing yourself UNWANTED onto another person. I don't care if the victim was drunk. Shame on the rapist and shame on you for not condemning him. As for that Finnigan woman.. her opinion is worthless... on everything !"

Don't be surprised if the thread continues its current trend - you find the crime of rape abhorrent - someone will come on here and find a reason why it 'wasn't really' rape - because that's been the trend up to now.

[naomi24]

andy-hughes, jolly good. And there’s me gaining the impression he was still on trial. That’s that sorted then.

[andy-hughes]

naomi24 - "And there’s me gaining the impression he was still on trial."

I'm unsure where that notion comes from - ?

Unless it is the raft of posts looking to find any excuse to mitigate the actions of this man who, as we agree, has been tried and convicted.

[ummmm]

Show me a post that says it wasn't rape?

[agchristie]

I think Andy is referring to those who are focusing more on mitigation rather than the crime?

[Elina]

Scenario ... My daughter rings me, mum, I'm in a bar having a great time, I'm a bit tiddley but don't worry I'm o.k. I'm just going back to a hotel room with a man I've just met just to talk & have more drinks. Me .. No, that's not a brilliant idea, I think he'll get the wrong idea darlin, please come home now. What do you mean? Why? What parent wouldn't give their daughter that advice in the same scenario? This man raped a woman, he's totally in the wrong. The female wasn't totally blameless either. Did she deserve what happened to her? No absolutely not, but she's been very stupid! Should he get his job back? No, not the job he's been in, his job is very much in the public eye & carries responsibility.

[andy-hughes]

Elina - "The female wasn't totally blameless either ..."

Er, I think she was, actually.

Think about it.

[andy-hughes]

ummm "Show me a post that says it wasn't rape?"

There are none - as you quite well know - but there are plenty that try and wheedle around the situation to make the vicitm in some way complicit.

[andy-hughes]

agchristie - "I think Andy is referring to those who are focusing more on mitigation rather than the crime?"

Thank you - difficult though it is, that is what i am attempting to do here.

[Elina]

Why andy? She was drunk, she went back to a hotel room. She's guilty of stupidity on her part. Rape shouldn't have happened at all she didn't ask to be raped. In the same scenario andy, if it was 'your' daughter on the end of the phone telling you the above, what would you say to her?

[agchristie]

The judge in his summing up stated that

' as the jury have found, she was in no position to have sexual intercourse. As you arrived at the hotel you must have realised that'.

The judge attributes no blame to the victim.

[Elina]

I can honestly say that I wouldn't say to my daughter, oh nice one darling! enjoy!

[andy-hughes]

Elina "She's guilty of stupidity ..."

And the sentence is - forced invasive intercourse by a man you have just met!

God, I'm glad you don't make the rules!

[Elina]

andy, go back to my first post. In no way should she have been raped. I'm saying she's guilty of an act of stupidity going back to a mans room.