Shame more don't take this stance with traffic offences.

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jamesoneil
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Shame more don't take this stance with traffic offences.

Post by jamesoneil »

http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/w ... story.html


Adrian Chaplin said in mitigation that Richardson was immature for his age and being without a car would be difficult for him.

Judge Francis Gilbert QC said Richardson's journey to work from Brixham to Paignton should be straightforward and flat enough if he cycled.

"He'll have to invest in a pushbike," said the judge.

He gave Richardson a 12-month community order with supervision and a requirement to attend a thinking skills programme.
Fezes are cool.
Tangled Metal
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Re: Shame more don't take this stance with traffic offences.

Post by Tangled Metal »

"on your bike mate!" Just once a judge said it for us, or nearly said it.

How valid is it to be able to escape the normal sentence just because it is difficult to get by without a car? You could say "don't do the crime if you can;t do the time!".

IIRC there was some guy (in the north west of England I think) who has over 21 points on their licence for speeding but has not lost his licence. He argues exceptional circumstances, as in he needs to use his car, and gets away with just an easily afforded fine.
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tykeboy2003
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Re: Shame more don't take this stance with traffic offences.

Post by tykeboy2003 »

He should consider himself lucky that he has such a lovely cycle commute alternative.
eileithyia
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Re: Shame more don't take this stance with traffic offences.

Post by eileithyia »

:lol: :lol: :lol:
I stand and rejoice everytime I see a woman ride by on a wheel the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood. HG Wells
firedfromthecircus
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Re: Shame more don't take this stance with traffic offences.

Post by firedfromthecircus »

Tangled Metal wrote:
How valid is it to be able to escape the normal sentence just because it is difficult to get by without a car?


It does seem a very strange defence, but one that is regularly used. He will lose his job as a driver, joiner, whatever if he loses his licence! Judges seem to fall for it though!

Just imagine the defence being 'it will be very difficult for my client to carry on with his occupation of burgling houses if you put him in jail for burgling 20 houses'!
reohn2
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Re: Shame more don't take this stance with traffic offences.

Post by reohn2 »

FWIW,IMHO the sentence is too lenient.
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AMMoffat
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Re: Shame more don't take this stance with traffic offences.

Post by AMMoffat »

I commuted by bike for a year between Torquay and Brixham and it is indeed a very lovely ride. IIRC it is not as flat as the judge seems to think and there is a very substantial hill between Paignton and Brixham, so he will be able to thank the judge in a year's time for the improvement in his fitness :lol: :lol: :lol:
andycharlton3460
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Re: Shame more don't take this stance with traffic offences.

Post by andycharlton3460 »

"...and a requirement to attend a thinking skills programme."
Don't know why I find that so funny.:)
maxcherry
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Re: Shame more don't take this stance with traffic offences.

Post by maxcherry »

He should be ok cycling to his job at Sainsbury's although i don't think anyone makes a 'Kitchen knife bike mount' as of yet!? hopefuly next time he is drunk he will just curl up under a bush for the night.

I can see the brother making a big insurance claim for his injuries and the idiots insurance going sky high :) not that anything will actually stop him driving a vehicle while he is banned :roll:
Honestly chaps, I'm a female!
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Redvee
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Re: Shame more don't take this stance with traffic offences.

Post by Redvee »

If the criminal doesn't like to ride, he could catch the ferry between Brixham and Paignton.
reohn2
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Re: Shame more don't take this stance with traffic offences.

Post by reohn2 »

andycharlton3460 wrote:"...and a requirement to attend a thinking skills programme."
Don't know why I find that so funny.:)


I do!
And I love to be a fly on the wall at his first lesson.
Teacher,
"I believe you need some help with your thinking skills"
Idiot,
"Not me,I'm only 'ear coz I wus made to"
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Valbrona
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Re: Shame more don't take this stance with traffic offences.

Post by Valbrona »

So The Birch has evolved into a 'Thinking skills programme'?
I should coco.
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Lance Dopestrong
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Re: Shame more don't take this stance with traffic offences.

Post by Lance Dopestrong »

Let's be honest. Most of us are car drivers, so a decent proportion of us also drive like fools. As a user group I'm not aware of any evidence that we make safer car drivers or at les likely to offend when behind the wheel.
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kwackers
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Re: Shame more don't take this stance with traffic offences.

Post by kwackers »

Lance Dopestrong wrote:Let's be honest. Most of us are car drivers, so a decent proportion of us also drive like fools. As a user group I'm not aware of any evidence that we make safer car drivers or at les likely to offend when behind the wheel.

I don't know about cyclists in general but I reckon cycling makes me a better driver as in I'm more aware of others and their requirements. Having said that I'm far more tolerant of others idiocy when in my car than I am when on my bike...
reohn2
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Re: Shame more don't take this stance with traffic offences.

Post by reohn2 »

Valbrona wrote:So The Birch has evolved into a 'Thinking skills programme'?

Corporal punishment only ever hardened my resolve again authority.
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