Why Are They Overiding The Trial Judge Here?

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29734816
The judge said life should mean life so why are our modern do gooders letting this lowlife out?

[youngmafbog]

right on lefty brigade"? It's started already, then.

No, that is a description of the people I am aiming the remark at, not all lefties think that way only those that are 'right-on'. If you have a better one, let me know and I will use it in the future.

[ToraToraTora]

after reading the link from emeritus I am convinced the PB are not fit for purpose. This nasty peice of work should never see the light of day again. Pity he didn't commit the crime a bit earlier we'd not be having this conversation. Still waiting for peter pedant to tell me under what law we have to free him.

[jim360]

I'm not aware of any laws that say we have to free murderers. We do have to give them the realistic option of being freed, although the PB also has every right to say no.

[New Judge]

"We do have to give them the realistic option of being freed,..."

No we do not, Jim.

In February of this year the Court of Appeal ruled that the imposition of whole life sentences was allowed for the most serious of crimes. They did so when they increased a 40-year tariff to a whole-life tariff for murderer Ian McLoughlin, whose trial judge had said he was unable to pass such a sentence. At the same time they also dismissed an appeal by murderer Lee Newell that his whole-life order had been "manifestly excessive".

The European Court of Human Rights had ruled such terms breached human rights (and who would have expected anything less). In July, the European court said that while it accepted whole life orders could be justified, there should nevertheless be some way of having imprisonment reviewed after 25 years. Fortunately (for the time being at least) the government has ignored that ruling.

I remember the 1966 killings (in Shepherds Bush if I recall correctly) and if ever an individual deserved to be incarcerated for the rest of his days it is Harry Roberts.

[mikey4444]

The judge at the time recommended at least 30 years. He has now served 38 years.

[chaptazbru2]

With a bit of luck he'll have a stoke or heart attack and die ....

[BlackadderV]

Actually Mikey, he has served 48 years. Your maths, like your opinion plls, appear to be faulty.

[mikey4444]

Chapta...as he is now 78 years old, it is more than likely that he will do exactly that quite shortly, in or out of prison.

[mikey4444]

Blackadder...why do you need to be so nasty ? It was a typo...the 3 is right next to the 4. Engage in debate as you will but don't try to be too clever, as it obviously isn't your specialist subject.

[jim360]

I'll defer to NJ's legal opinion.

[ChillDoubt]

Whilst I'd prefer to see him die behind bars I agree with agchristie that in all likelihood Roberts is not much longer for this world/is in failing health, hence the decision.
Furthermore, I'd wager that re-adjustment for him, combined with the infamy of his crimes will make matters difficult for him in many facets and maybe the Parole Board don't want a cause celebre dying behind bars to further ehnhance his status.
Just a guess, mind.

[BlackadderV]

I think you are quite right Chill, apart from the fact that it would be a lot cheaper to pay him benefits than keep him inside.

[brionon]

But surely it's all the fault of Europe innit ?

[mikey4444]

I thought it might have been those Muslims Brionon ?

[EDDIE51]

TTT you know as well as the rest of us that there is not never has been a law that says killers must be released. There is a law that says all prisoners apart from those on a' whole life' tariff have the right to a parole appeal after they have served their tariff.

[mikey4444]

I think we should recapture this bloke, after he has been released, and then hang him, publically. It will bring untold joy to so many.

[chaptazbru2]

No, I'd be content if he died of natural causes !

[baza]

I wonder how long he could live on a pension, oh , wait a minute, he never worked for one, nor paid into the NHS.Still it is cheaper to let him out than keep him in prison and hopefully he will not be a drain on society for very long.

[ToraToraTora]

yes eddie but when I said he should not be released, PP said it was the law!

[Zeuhl]

T3

Perhaps PP made a mistake; like you did when you said the Trial Judge was being 'over ridden'?