UK justice: Homeowner jailed for tackling intruder...

... and need I mention it, the actual criminal, i.e. the intruder, walks away free.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/homeowner-jailed-for-tackling-burglar-1840948.html

And it's a "hallmark of civilised society" to imprison a man defending his home and family while releasing the actual criminal, a man who has over 50 previous convictions AND carried out further criminal acts since this incident?
Absolute fucking disgrace. The homeowner should be freed and given a medal for setting a fine example in how to defend one's home and exact some righteous retribution on scumbags who threaten innocent families. God knows the courts are never going to do it.

Do you think he got a stiffer sentence because he's a scary muslim?



And what sort of brain damage?

Probably the kind that happens when your skull caves in.

Wait... he kept beating the guy after he was down and out?


Self defense =/= assault.



It's not right when the police beat a suspect that's already under control, and it's not right when a private citizen does it either.

I had a cricket bat in the caravan I lived in back in the UK. I had no idea how to play the game but you could not have a gun unless you belonged to the hunting club and payed dues.

The brain damage can't be that bad since he went on to commit credit card fraud! And I don't know any vegetable that is capable of such a complex crime. So in short - he probably just got a bad headache as a result of the attack.

Maybe if we were talking about some gangsters I might share that sentiment. But we're talking about a man who has no previous criminal history, a law abiding, productive member of society who was pushed over the edge by a man who held his family hostage at knife point. Many would consider this a justified reaction from a frightened, angry person who had witnessed his family being terrified and bound by a gang of criminals.

Well, he did get caught. Perhaps his version of credit card fraud was simply trying to use someone elses credit card.

Do you think you'd have just a "bad headache" if were hit with a cricket bat so hard it broke?

It must be fairly serious for it to go to court.

I wouldn't know, since you won't find me breaking into someone's house and holding the homeowner hostage at knife point.

Fraud only goes to court if it's complicated?

No, but if you ever try punching someone, they might just respond by murdering you.


It's okay, they were scared.

And what kind of message does it send to leave some violent fucking meat head, who's been convicted fifty fucking times, running free to menace and brutalize people?

This savage, uncivilized American takes it to mean "Employ all possible, overwhelming force, because your government doesn't give a flying fuck about your wellbeing."

It would depend on the circumstances. In this case, I think the reaction was justified. But the fact is that the guy would not have had his head caved in if he didn't break into another man's property and threatened his family.
I really don't have an ounce of sympathy for the intruder. Frankly, he deserved everything he got.

I wonder how someone might respond after I shoot them in the head with a 12 gauge shotgun.

On second thought, no I don't.

Yup. Then again maybe his state of mind should be taken into account.

:santa_shocked:

The point is that he can't have been too fucked in the head if he managed to continue his life of crime.

And they might well be justified. That's why I, like most normal people, don't go around punching people for no reason. Those that do have no excuse when they find they've bitten off more than they can chew.

So the robbers mistake was not killing his victims right away?


It seems like you're trying to talk big just for the sake of talking big.

I'm saying given the sheer depravity of violence committed today, a home intruder should be considered a threat and treated accordingly. Someone willing to break into an occupied dwelling is someone who is prepared to do violence.

Break into my place and find out.

That's not an answer. You're just saying things.

Again, you're talking big for the sake of talking big.


Shall I break out the e-thug pics?

On the contrary, Labrador Retrievers are great dogs.

I can only assure you that I am prepared mentally and materially to defend myself. You may think that's "talking big," but I threaten no one who doesn't threaten me first.

Just out of curiosity, what's the typical sentence for assault with a deadly weapon in the UK?

Well played, sir.

Well, while I tend to think the perp deserved to get his head caved in, and I think that the guy chasing him down is Ok, perhaps a bit less force in the swing was called for, an error in judgement on the victim's part.
Under the described circumstances he did indeed take the law into his own hands reguardless of his claimed intent.
It's like shooting someone, then unloading the clip into them, an empty clip can get you time especially if you are shown to have shot them after they were down. I have met two people in my life who went to the joint for this.

Two and a half years is a bit stiff though, a probated sentence/time served would have fit better IMHO.

He'd have been better off pleading temporary insanity.

This whole thing seems to omit the simple fact that the guy needed killing and this guy with the bat did the world a favor.

Not really, since the perp is still alive.

But he won't burgle again.