Forum Topic

Police officer attack

Anybody watching the "Crimewatch" programme cannot fail to be shocked and disgusted, at the cowardly attack on an off duty police officer in South Ealing. These four scumbags are so brave when in a crowd, these were teenagers who have no respect for the law, and I very much doubt if they have any for themselves either.I am fed up to the back teeth with politicians and others making excuses for their violence. What is needed if we are to prevent this is tougher action, never mind Gameboys,Laptops,Televisions etc This officer intervened when they refused to pay their fare on a bus, and the driver asked for his help when they attempted to attack him, he ended up with very serious injuries for his trouble.I sincerely hope that they are soon caught and locked up fo a very long time (some hope!) My thoughts are with this brave officer and his family, and wish him a speedy recovery. What do other users of this forum think?

Andrew Michael John Atkinson ● 6601d8 Comments

KeithJust wait until one of these Human Rights lawyers gets mugged, with his phone/Rolex oyster watch being nicked. I wonder what the mitigating circumstance will be offered in their defence, when one of his mates, fresh from depositing his legal aid cash, and is asked to defend him/them! More likely "them", as these toerags only operate in groups!

Account suspended ● 6594d

Mitigating factors are ok as long as the violins are not brought out and the perp. made out to be a 'victim' as much as the person pulped by their right boot or stabbed by them.Lawyers are as much to blame for the'everyone's a victim'culture as anyone as they make the most money from it.On the face of this terrible assault,which I would call attempted murder,the officer was not robbed of any money so poverty can't be used in mitigation.There are far too many young lads on the streets who's egos far outstrip their actual importance(they are no more important than anyone else but consider themselves untouchable and worthy of everyone's 'respect').These people should learn that respect is a finite commodity and is earned.Nothing demanded and given through fear is worth anything in human terms.I hope they are found and put to hard labour for a while to ruminate on their inhumanity,though I know this will not happen.Good riddance to them off our streets.

Keith Iddon ● 6595d

I would anticipate that given the gravity of the offence any judge would listen politely to the defence lawyer's plea of mitigation on behalf of his client and then hand out an appropriately harsh sentence.You are of course entitled to your opinion, but when were you last in court, and listened to some of these so called "mitigating" circumstances? Are you the only one who believes that the "Human Rights Act", actually looks after the victims? Judges do not live on the same planet as we do......or do they?It has just come out on the news, that a man who was brandishing a knife and allegedly resisting arrest, was overpowered by a police dog, and had his ear damaged as a result.......what was the outcome, the dog was put down, and this low life was awarded £42,000 out of court settlement. I believe that the officer should have got the £42,000 and the perpetrator "put down".(calm down all you luvvies, I was only joking.)

Account suspended ● 6595d

"Are you suggesting that people accused of crimes should not have lawyers to present mitigating factors to the court to try and get their sentences reduced?"My impression of sitting in the Crown Court last year and watching a couple of cases was that it was nothing to do with mitigating factors - just a completely fabricated story spoken by the defence.  It appeared completely fabricated to show how 'respectable' the person was.  If a lie detector had been tuned in as the defence spoke on the clients behalf after the decision of 'guilty' the air conditioning could have been turned off in the draught!

Sarah Felstead ● 6595d

Are you suggesting that people accused of crimes should not have lawyers to present mitigating factors to the court to try and get their sentences reduced?Nobody is actually saying that crimes like the attack on this police officer aren't very serious or that the people who carry them out shouldn't be severely punished. However if the case gets to trial they do have a right to have a defence presented. I would anticipate that given the gravity of the offence any judge would listen politely to the defence lawyer's plea of mitigation on behalf of his client and then hand out an appropriately harsh sentence.

Dan Evans ● 6595d

Well it is true of course that a life sentence robs any young person of their youth, but then they should have thought of that before committing a crime that cost a life, not to mention all the lives of the people who were close to the victim. Having had such a tragedy in the family, I speak from experience, we lost two family members one the victim and one the perpetrator, someone with their whole life yet to live, and who knows what his future will be, or how he will live with what he did?

Vanessa Smith ● 6599d

AnnIt doesn't make any difference, but he was a detective sergeant, not a constable, and was getting on a bit for a police officer, having served for many years so he had everything going against him........out numbered and not as quick on his feet as he once was.Everyone will wake up, when it gets to the stage that you will be unable to use a night bus, or a mini cab,this week an Asian driver was beaten to death. No one should be surprised if the buses and cab drivers, refuse to work at night........who would blame them!Yes you are absolutely right, we did have a great deal of respect for the police, but if you look on the Political Correctness thread, you cab see that this country has "had it". We seem to be unable to do anything about it either, even through the ballot box, as all parties seem to have signed up to it, or at least dont condemn it outright.Just watch, if and when these scroats are caught, the excuses for their loutish behaviour, will be put forward by some smart ar*e barrister. with not a mention about the damage caused to this officer or or his family.Just to round off, a defence lawyer who spoke after another toerag was sentenced for murder stated, "by the sentence he has been given, he will be robbed of the sweetest years of his young life!.........sod the murdered lad and his family and friends. If a barrister reads this perhaps he/she could explain the thinking behind this? will the last person to leave the country please turn off the lights!!!!!!!

Account suspended ● 6600d

Andrew,Totally agree with you.As Jim, Gerry and other 'golden oldies' will agree, back in our day we were scared stiff of the local bobbies, but there was a lot of respect mixed in with that fear.I hope those gutless young thugs meet their cumuppance....and I also send best wishes to the police constable involved.

Ann S. Allridge ● 6600d