This is unbelievable,

[trt]

But true!!!!!

It says it all about the justice system in this Country.

http://www.dailymail....r-electronic-tag.html

[Canary42]

It's the same old story - soft-in-the-head Brits care far far more for animals than people. After all RSPCA has the Royal prefix, NSPCC doesn't.

[trt]

And fancy putting a women of nearly 70 on a tag and has to be at home by 7pm, for goodness' sake.

[Canary42]

At least it will stop her clubbing the night away !

Yes, it's totally ridiculous.

[vulcan]

I'm interested in how they persuaded the 14 year old to do it, was he threatened or perhaps bribed ?

[Zeuhl]

vulcan - are you joking?

the kids are employed by the authorities.

They've been doing this for years it's standard ractice and a very effective way to catch retailers breaking the law.

They also visit shops to see if they will sell them cigarettes or booze.

[ELVIS68]

She looks like big Mo from Eastenders!

Jokes aside..what was the 14yr old going to do with the goldfish, smoke it, snort it or take it home?

[Zeuhl]

Don't be stupid Elvis - you can't smoke a goldfish.

You're thinking of herring!

[jno]

I hope they released it back into the Atlantic where it'll be safe from under-age buyers.

[vulcan]

Thanks Zeuhl,so the councils are paying children to break the law to catch other people breaking the law.

[trt]

Thats a good point :bez:, are fun fares still giving them away as prizes, not been to one for years?

[northernmonkey]

Well, didn't realise there was a age restriction on buying gold fish!!!
Never once have I seen any signs or notices in Pet Shops or in the Garden Centres that sell Fish. Or Pets at home!

Would appeal against this, if I was the woman. Its a joke - I could go out and steal a car and lead police on a 10 miles pursuit and would not get anything except a suspended sentence!

[trt]

:bez:, maybe its legal to give them away as a prize but not to sell them, you know what the laws are like in the UK?

Can 14 year olds fish in a lake and take there catch home, whats the difference?

[ELVIS68]

There was an old lady called Joan
Who`s now got to take out a loan
She sold a goldfish
To put food on her dish
It`s the Law, no wonder we moan!!!!!!

[Zeuhl]

<<Thanks Zeuhl,so the councils are paying children to break the law to catch other people breaking the law. >>

Actually the children aren't breaking the law in these circumstances any more than a Trading Standards Officer who goes into a restaurant and orders a salmonella infected meal.

Do you think shopkeepers should be allowed to sell cigarettes and booze to children?

[socket2008]

The fact she is 70 is irrelevent. She broke the law.

The thing that is not right is the punishment, when compared to other serious crimes, is over the top.

[northernmonkey]

For her to be
Tagged + get Community service is quite funny :/ not
She sold a Goldfish (no different to some kid getting one from huck a duck at a local fair
But yet someone in local news about 2 weeks ago, went to pick kids up from school, headteacher refused to let her leave with her kids because she was drunk - this led to her kneeing a copper in the b0ll0cks and all she got in court was small fine + suspended ..... What The Funicular ?? thats why Today's society is a absolute disgrace.

[B00]

If she broke the law, which she clearly did, then I agree that she should be punished, however I think the fine would have been sufficient, everything else on top seems very OTT!

I had to chuckle at her escuse though that he looked older than 14. And? So do half the kids who come into where I work asking for booze and fags, but we still have to ask for proof of ID.

And for those who might say that selling booze or fags isn't comparable to selling a fish. That may be so, but the law is the law is the law.