Slightly confused...

divine` · 9 Apr 2008 at 16:57

Friend had a her car vandalised a couple of weeks ago, wingmirrors smashed off etc. along with several other cars (on the road where Sic lives actually I think)

Police caught and arrested the guys who did it.

So what did they do?

Nothing. They let them go because it was a first offence.

Utter stupidity, why should anyone be allowed to get away with committing crimes just because they've not been caught doing it before?

Cosimo · 9 Apr 2008 at 17:12

Because it is the UK.

goldilocks · 9 Apr 2008 at 17:15

idiots

sic would NOT have been happy if they'd have done that to either of our cars - and this is on a road with a police station ON it!!

i'm all for rehabilitation and re-education rather than punishment for a first offense (when applicable) but being let off scot free? that's pretty awful

scorza · 9 Apr 2008 at 17:26

The idea is that if you punish these kids, they'll feel alienated from society and be more likely to commit crimes in future. By not punishing them for doing something wrong, they will become functioning members of society.

Makes perfect sense...

Phoebs · 9 Apr 2008 at 17:34

scorza said:
The idea is that if you punish these kids, they'll feel alienated from society and be more likely to commit crimes in future. By not punishing them for doing something wrong, they will become functioning members of society.

Makes perfect sense...

i have just done a 3000 word essay on anti social behaviour and yeh the idea is that if they are punished or given some label eg ASBO they will be singled out and thus add to their anti social behaviour as they are not seen as a civil member of society blah blah piffle....i think its rubbish tbh

(sometimes i do wonder why im doing this degree)

Slinwagh · 9 Apr 2008 at 18:22

divine` said:
Friend had a her car vandalised a couple of weeks ago, wingmirrors smashed off etc. along with several other cars (on the road where Sic lives actually I think)

Police caught and arrested the guys who did it.

So what did they do?

Nothing. They let them go because it was a first offence.

Utter stupidity, why should anyone be allowed to get away with committing crimes just because they've not been caught doing it before?

Did the police let them go or did the CPS decide not to prosecute, there a big differance.

divine` · 9 Apr 2008 at 18:25

Police let them go.

Slinwagh · 9 Apr 2008 at 18:26

divine` said:
Police let them go.

What without charge, with a caution, exactly how were they "let go?"

divine` · 9 Apr 2008 at 18:27

As in, told not to do it again, and let off to go home.

No charges, no official cautions, nothing.

Slinwagh · 9 Apr 2008 at 18:29

divine` said:
As in, told not to do it again, and let off to go home.

No charges, no official cautions, nothing.

Was there enough evidence to charge them, how old were they?

divine` · 9 Apr 2008 at 18:34

Dunno how old they were, evidence was residents witnessing it and them being caught just round the corner.

I don't know much more about it tbh, that's all i've been and afaik, that's pretty much all the police said to my friend.

Slinwagh · 9 Apr 2008 at 18:41

It seems odd to me that that with witness and them being caught close to the scene nothing was done.

divine` · 9 Apr 2008 at 18:42

Well me too, the police just said they let them off cos it was a first offence.

Slinwagh · 9 Apr 2008 at 18:43

I am guessing there is more to it than that.

divine` · 9 Apr 2008 at 19:07

Well if there is, the Police didn't want to say there was.

Surfer · 9 Apr 2008 at 19:14

more to it i think... such a thing as having the option to press charges is there not?

what about a civil /private prosecution? Whats the score with these situations?