Am I missing something

[Nearly Sane]

Eh?

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/may/16/oxford-university-lavinia-woodward-stabbed-boyfriend-may-avoid-jail?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Facebook

[Harrowby Hall]

Well, we only know what the newspaper has printed. We have (here, anyway) no information about evidence presented at the trial.

But I have long thought that our Dickensian approach to crime and punishment may not always be appropriate. I can envisage situations where simply reporting guilt in the local newspaper may be more punishing than three years in prison.

[Ricky Spanish]

It was a bread knife...  and tinder... and red red wine... and she lives in Italy, with her Italian mother.....

What do you expect?

[floo]

Eh?

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/may/16/oxford-university-lavinia-woodward-stabbed-boyfriend-may-avoid-jail?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Facebook

Crazy!

[Robbie]

Well, we only know what the newspaper has printed. We have (here, anyway) no information about evidence presented at the trial.

But I have long thought that our Dickensian approach to crime and punishment may not always be appropriate. I can envisage situations where simply reporting guilt in the local newspaper may be more punishing than three years in prison.

I agree in principle but on the face of it it seems ludicrous that the girl may not receive some sort of sentence for violent crime. When sentencing takes place in four months we may hear more evidence.

(Just a few years ago Charlie Gilmour was given sixteen months in prison for acting up 'under the influence' at a demo and no-one was hurt then but he went to prison. It was an outrage.)

[Rhiannon]

This does smack of 'one rule' etc. There's no suggestion of abuse by the man that she attacked.

[Harrowby Hall]

A lawyer was interviewed by John Humphries on Today this morning.

He said that, in the first place, it is good that we have judges who are free to deliver sentences which they think are appropriate rather than being tied in to a fixed, predetermined tariff. He also pointed out that we have to wait for four months before sentence will be pronounced - this suggests that the judge may well consult with colleagues and others before determining the sentence.

He also pointed out that there will be an opportunity for the prosecution to appeal if they believe the sentence to be too lenient.

He was puzzled that the judge had appeared to comment on the defendant's intelligence.

[Rhiannon]

Yes, that is what I find odd. I can understand making unusual decisions on compassionate grounds, but not on the grounds of intelligence and the prospect of a glittering career.

As an aside, I'm not sure how successful a surgeon she would make if she has an ongoing drug addiction, but whether that should affect any outcome here I have no idea.

[Nearly Sane]

Even if she gets a non custodial sentence, I would be surprised if given the conviction she would get a job as a surgeon.

[Rhiannon]

Well, yes. That makes no sense either. She will still have the conviction on her record, although I believe that background checks sometimes differentiate between custodial sentences (including suspended) and non custodial.

[floo]

Even if she gets a non custodial sentence, I would be surprised if given the conviction she would get a job as a surgeon.

I rather doubt anyone with a criminal record of that nature would be taken on as a medic.