Drug Addict Killed Two Of His Friends But Gets Only 4 Years !

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-31713603

He was found guilty to causing the death of his two friends, by dangerous driving but the given only a four years jail sentence.

This can't be right surely ?

[mikey4444]

Ummmm...sorry...seems that I have misinterpreted TTT's comment ! Hope I haven't caused offence !

[VHG]

Sadly this sort of short sentence is quite common.

We had a young lad in our area recently. His dad had borrowed a huge Range Rover to test drive over the weekend.

His son took the keys without his dad knowing (so his dad says) and the lad drove at high sped round the small local roads.

He reached speed of 80mph (according to police) on small suburban roads and ploughed into a car killing the man in it and seriously injuring a child in the car.

So he stole a car, was not insured, did excessive speed, killed one person, injured another, and got just 5 years.

Driving a huge multi-ton Range Rover should be considered just a dangerous as if you were carrying a gun and carry the same sentence as if you killed someone with a gun.

[EDDIE51]

I believe the Maximum possible sentence for death by dangerous is 7 years!
and that is rarely given.

[EDDIE51]

I was wrong it is 14 years
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/sentencing_manual/death_by_dangerous_driving/

[mikey4444]

Thanks Eddie...I shall add that to my data bank !

[hc4361]

Huff. I said it was 14 years yesterday. *sulk*

[mikey4444]

Sorry HC...thanks to you as well ! ! !

[Jackdaw33]

There are two types of manslaughter, voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary is when a murder charge is reduced on the grounds of diminished responsibility or provocation. Involuntary is the commission of a reckless act not knowing that anyone could be harmed as a result.

[ummmm]

TTT...the difference being I can still drive a vehicle when I'm wasted on a cigarette!!!

Mikey...I know lots of recreational drug users, they aren't addicts. They pick and chose when they take drugs, there is no 'need' to take them as what happens with addicts.

[mikey4444]

I seem to recall that we have a similar debate on drugs, or it might have been someone else. I don't know anybody who takes "recreational" drugs or, if they do, they don't tell me about it. But if I had evidence that anybody was taking something as serious and hard-core as cocaine, than I would have no hesitation in reporting them to the Police. We need to understand a little less about drug abuse and condemn a lot more.

Back to the thread in question. The sunbtle difference between drug abuse and addiction, and "recreational" drug abuse, is almost certainly lost on the families of these two dead young men. I have made this point before but it is unlikely that these men would have been killed, if Clements hadn't taken drugs. Drugs are a menace in our society and to try to pass them off as a "lifestyle choice" rather like taking sugar in your tea or not, isn't helpful in any way.

I guess that we will never agree on this point, but a debate is always welcome.

[mikey4444]

Just in case anybody else thinks that cocaine is a harmless, non-addictive drug should read the following ::::

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/cocaine

http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/cocaine/effects-of-cocaine.html

[ummmm]

It 'was' me you debated with before.

I'm not pro drugs but I know that some 'respectable' people take them but they're not stupid enough to get in a car.

[mikey4444]

I thought it was Ummm ! Then I guess we will have to agree to disagree on the subject of drugs. But I expect the subject will come up again !

[mikey4444]

Just before I go Ummm.....If cocaine is one of the drugs that your "respectable" friends and acquaintances take, then according to the two links I have provided above, one of the first things that will be effected is their ability to make rational decisions. Like driving for instance.

Just a thought !

[ummmm]

I just disagree that drug takers are addicts.

Like someone said earlier...are you an alcoholic?

[ummmm]

Mikey...the people I know who take cocaine would do so on a night out where they wouldn't take their car anyways. I don't know anyone who takes it recreationally in the house and then drives to the pub.

[sir.prize]

Owen Clements took cocaine. Took cannabis. Drove at speed. On the wrong side of the road. Lied. Oh yes, he killed two mates.

What a despicable individual

[-Talbot-]

My name is Talbot and I guess I must be an alcoholic.

Would knowing if the passengers were or were not on drugs alter your sympathies, mikey?

[Jackdaw33]

Very good point, Talbot. Hadn't thought of that.

[ummmm]

Yeah...people rarely take drugs solo.