child rapist

[asciwhite]

A horrific attack in Sainsburys Leamington Spa, once he's caught, castration without anaesthetic and then locked away in a dark cell for life...

[gessoo]

sorry 'In this country'

[asciwhite]

gessoo, why does that make these people who attack vigilantes? is it because they believe the person they are attacking/killing has done some terrible deed? when I have read the papers I never read the words 'vigilante attack' as in the taking of law enforcement into their own hands.

[gessoo]

Dictionary Definition of vigilante

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&lr=&oi=defmore&defl=en&q=define:Vigilante

[asciwhite]

p.s you made me smile with your smiley face and I send one back to you :-)

[gessoo]

Well it's nice to stay friendly even if we differ in opinions. I don't like offending people unless, of course, they are impolite or rude. Thanks for the smile!

[asciwhite]

sorry about this, a vigilante is someone who takes the Law into their own hands as they do not see that justice has been done/will be done. So no I still have not read any recent cases of a vigilante attack ie: child rapist killed by the public in a vigilante attack

[gessoo]

Well there are several meanings of the word but anyone who decides to dish out their own justice at any time can be called a vigilante. e.g. If someone breaks into my house and steals something and if I find out who it is and go round to 'sort them out' without involving the law at all then I can be called a vigilante. Believe me this sort of behaviour goes on all the time in some areas of this country!!!

[gessoo]

If you look at my link you will see one meaning as

"self appointed doer of justice"

[gessoo]

I am meant to be working!!!!

[asciwhite]

same meaning!!! justice/law etc.

How's work? : )

[libertie]

An awful crime and a horrendous ordeal for the child involved! Fortunately though, quite rare compared to the numbers of chidren raped day and daily by their own fathers/grandfathers/brothers/uncles/ and so called carers!!

Hopefully the rapist will be caught and punished and the child and her family will be given all the help they need to rebuild their lives!

[gessoo]

Not really because a vigilante does what he sees to be 'justice'. The law is the law is the law

I am bored with work!

[asciwhite]

have a nice cuppa and delegate!

[gessoo]

No-one to delegate to. But the cuppa's a good idea. See you again ;o)

[asciwhite]

I'm going to add one more comment from me, I always mean to start my sentences...

'with respect'

and I mean that.

[andy-hughes]

I have read the debate here with interest, and I have to second noxlumos's observations on this one.

I have said many times on this site, and I will say it again - laws are what make us civilised.

The notion of an individual or group of people taking it upon themselves to assume the righteous anger of society as a whole, and act out a revenge seen as appropriate is a worrying thought. Who 'elects' these people as our moral guardians and keepers of our responses? Who decides who does what to whom? No-one. This notion is entirely self-appointed by individuals who think that their reactions of loathing and disgust are more pertinent than anyone else's, so they are given carte blanche to exorcise this emotion by acts of violence and murder.

As a parent of three daughters, my reaction is to cut this man into one-inch cubes with a rusty tin lid, but we live in a civilised society, and our laws are there to act in these instances. Laws are based on concensus and calm intelligent thought not a sliding scale of "I can be just as brutal and bloodthirsty as you matey ...." train of thought.

Hope that the law will act appropriately, and that this poor child can pick up her life surrounded by people who live ordered lives governed by laws, not behind barricaded doors because someone out there in the 'vigilante' code of justicce will be looking to cut her arms and legs off, because she 'asked for it'.

Vigilante law only works for those who promote themselves to carry it out - but who decides who they are, or what they do?

Beware your thoughts asciwhite - they may offend other 'like-minded' people who think you are in thew wrong - and who will protect you then?

[asciwhite]

I think it's called debate andy, always two sides to each coin, scales of justice, for and against, prosecuter and defender.

[andy-hughes]

I am aware of the concept of 'debate', and 'two sides', and 'law' - my thinking on these issues is clear, which is why I posted as I did, but I am not the one advocating a punishment meted out by any individual based purely on the strength of his reaction to the issue - with proportionate violence and pain to be meted out as he sees fit.

You may need to point out the rationale of fairness and debate, but I suggest you commence with others who replied before I did - they appear more in need of your advice than I.

[gessoo]

I am confused Andy. Why am I in need of advice on this? I thought I made my feelings very clear.

[andy-hughes]

Hi gessoo - my post was not aimed specifically at any individual, and in view of your comments, certainly not you, sorry for any confusion.

A.