Sarah Everard's Murderer

[sp1814]

The current law in England and Wales states that the murder of a police (or prison) officer in the course of duty is a factor indicating a murder of ‘particularly high seriousness’, which must attract a minimum sentence of 30 years.

This is (thankfully) extremely rare, but if found guilty should the same apply to police / prison officers who murder civilians?

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/sep/29/sarah-everard-family-haunted-by-the-horror-of-daughters-murder

[naomi24]

This was more than murder. I would do society a favour and reintroduce the death penalty for people like him.

[davebro]

No - the penalty should be death for:
Multiple murders committed together or separately.
Murders with a sexual motive.
Murder of a child.
Murder of an emergency worker on duty.

[david small]

I agree with naomi24 regarding the death penalty. This creature and his ilk would not even make lousy compost.

[Mozz71]

Davebro add serious sexual assault of a child to that list and you're spot on.

[drmorgans]

This wasn't just murder by a police officer though was it? Kidnap (using his knowledge of procedure), rape and murder and then attempting to burn her body. He can never be safely released. A whole life term.

[jno]

perhaps we could add that they should be sentenced by AB members before their case is heard?

[Stickybottle]

I have no doubt that the Met and the CPS will press for the highest possible sentence
This is an abhorrent crime and the police will do their damndest to see him incarcerated for the maximum possible

[naomi24]

Is that what you would do, Jno?

[jno]

what, sentence them before their case is heard? No.

[sp1814]

Hang on - this has become a death penalty thug, which I get but I was thinking more of whether an equivalent sentence should be handed out when the perpetrator is a police officer.

But scrap that…perhaps this case is a good example of why there should be the death penalty.

So over to you.

(Me - I don’t agree with the death penalty but that’s partly because I don’t know what its like to have someone I love murdered - so I can only speak objectively).

[sp1814]

*thing

[drmorgans]

The case won't be "heard". This is a sentencing hearing. He has admitted kidnap, rape, and murder.

[jno]

defendants still get to put their case for being given a lighter sentence, that's what the hearing is for.

[burlyshirley]

Just read the impact statements from the family with tears in my eyes. Very powerful. I hope he NEVER leaves prison, except in a box.

[naomi24]

Why suggest it then, Jno?

[Ken4155]

Perhaps the fact that he has already admitted the offences means he will get a lighter sentence than had he pleaded not guilty?

[naomi24]

SP, comparing the murder of a policeman in the course of duty to this crime doesn’t work.

[burlyshirley]

Apparently, he's being sentenced in the morning. Just seen a clip on Sky News where he denied having met her.

[Barmaid]

I am not sure that it ought. However, I imagine that an aggravating factor might be abuse of position of trust in using his warrant card in order to abduct her. That and the sexual element may put him in the 30 year minimum bracket. I would sincerely hope it is a full life term.

Although it is of no consolation to her grieving and devastated family and friends, he is going to have a worse time inside than nonces.

[Ellipsis]

This guy should definitely get a whole life term.

As for the death sentence ... maybe the Taliban think it's a good idea, but I think it reflects well on our civilised society that we no longer have it.