Crime and criminals

[Bosun]

A conviction for conspiracy to commit an offence means that it was proven than there was more than just a preparatory action towards the commission of the offence. The suggestion that somehow because there was no 'complainant' mitigates the offence is ludicrous; For example, does Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery lessen the offence? No, it's by good fortune, Police work and the justice system that some bank clerk did not have a firearm pointed at them. What about Conspiracy to Commit Acts of Terrorism? Is it acceptable if no-one is killed? In this case, the financial loss of mortgage companies would inevitably be passed on to the customer, you and me. Shoplifting is a classic, as is insurance fraud, the costs of which are all passed on to the consumer - you and me. I for one am grateful that the actual commission of crimes is prevented.

And don't forget the cost to society of the court case, several hundred thousands of pounds, and the cost of keeping these people in prison, all these costs are borne by us, the tax payer.

[DaveR]

A conviction for conspiracy to commit an offence means that it was proven than there was more than just a preparatory action towards the commission of the offence. The suggestion that somehow because there was no 'complainant' mitigates the offence is ludicrous; For example, does Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery lessen the offence? No, it's by good fortune, Police work and the justice system that some bank clerk did not have a firearm pointed at them. What about Conspiracy to Commit Acts of Terrorism? Is it acceptable if no-one is killed? In this case, the financial loss of mortgage companies would inevitably be passed on to the customer, you and me. Shoplifting is a classic, as is insurance fraud, the costs of which are all passed on to the consumer - you and me. I for one am grateful that the actual commission of crimes is prevented.

And don't forget the cost to society of the court case, several hundred thousands of pounds, and the cost of keeping these people in prison, all these costs are borne by us, the tax payer.

Wise words, Bosun. 

[Mr Tunnock]

I see that such was the threat of legal action, the North Weekly News have republished the story of Michael Creamer and his wife Anita loosing their right to appeal on their proceeds of crime order resulting from their fraud conviction.
No way to treat an innocent couple.

[Hugo]

Have you ever met Mr Creamer? Or do you just judge from the safety of your computer? Myself personally I judge a person by what I see and hear face to face. As far as the law is concerned don't be so naive, you obviously have lived a very insular existence.
As for Dickens in his case there were both victims and loss, in Mr and Mrs Creamers there were not.

Loyalty to a friend is an admirable quality but it shouldn't be misguided and clouded by naivety.  The facts are the facts and the Court has made a decision based on them.

[SteveH]

TOWYN: Hearing that there is a big police presence in Towyn - we're trying to find out what's going on. More when we get it.
ROBBERY: North Wales Police have confirmed that they were called to a robbery at Corbett Bookmakers in Towyn yesterday evening at 7.20pm. No further information has been released at this stage.refDP

[Ian]

Copied from a posting by Higo:

"Yesterday a friend of mine was driving up Kings Road and stopped at the T junction by St Andrews Church as a car was approaching from Lansdowne Road and going up  Kings Drive.
He let the car pass and then followed it up the hill.    Without any warning the car in front stopped immediately, there were no brake lights on the other vehicle. It was the squeal of brakes from the other car that alerted my friend and he did an emergency stop and veered to the right and thus avoided an impact.
The other car with two male occupants then raced off at speed, so fast that my friend couldn't see the registration number.
He realised that this was a scam and reported the matter to the Police.
If anyone on here is involved in a similar scam with this silver grey Citroen hatch back  please report the matter to the Polic"

[Fester]

Well, the Govt have decided to ban smoking in prisons from 2016.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34395034

That's fine, BUT..... I'm sure heroin and alcohol are also banned in prisons, but they haven't had much success in making that stick have they?
 ££$ ££$ ££$

[Fester]

So, it seems that since the Car Tax paper disc was abolished, the number of un-taxed cars on our roads has DOUBLED!
That's in just one year.
A move that was supposed to save a mere £10m a year in admin, is now costing £80m in lost revenue.
Another brilliantly managed change eh?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34933962

[Hugo]

I thought that something like that would happen and it just shows how inept the Government is.   It would seem that there was no contingency plan to deal with untaxed drivers.
The DVLC has records of all the vehicles on the road and also the information about whether the car has road tax, MOT or insurance and it's all on computer there and the Police can check all these details.    Likewise members of the public can put "car tax checker" into Google and check whether the car is taxed or has a valid MOT
If you do check it for yourself you will see the genuine cases in Green but those that are not taxed will appear in red.

The names and addresses of the owners of untaxed vehicles are  therefore already flagged up so all that is required is for proceedings to be instituted against these owners after a warning letter is issued to the registered keeper.   County Court proceedings can then be commenced after the expiry date on the warning letter.

[Merddin Emrys]

Seemed obvious to me that would be the case! 

[Hugo]

Seemed obvious to me that would be the case! 

Yes, it was just false economy.    It doesn't surprise me in the least, a lot of the what has been happening in recent years doesn't seem to have been thought through, with no contingency plans for if (when) it goes wrong

[Ian]

I suspect this is long overdue:

"Internet "trolls" could face criminal charges for creating fake profiles, according to guidance being considered for prosecutors in England and Wales.

The Crown Prosecution Service says adults should be charged if they use fake social media IDs to harass others.

Cases would also follow if posts were indecent, grossly offensive or so false they caused distress and anxiety.

The CPS is amending its guidelines to keep its staff up to date with modern crime.

"It is vital that prosecutors consider the bigger picture when looking at evidence and examine both the online and offline behaviour pattern of the defendant,"

The CPS is advising its prosecutors they should be prepared to charge under existing laws if a case falls into one of three categories:

    Category 1: when online activity results in a credible threat to an individual
    Category 2: when someone is specifically targeted for harassment, stalking, so-called revenge porn or coercive behaviour to former partners or family members
    Category 3: cases resulting in breaches of a court order"

[Hugo]

Thanks for bringing that to our attention Ian,  perhaps the Billy Nomates character who has appeared on here from time to time may take heed now and be aware of what may happen.

[Fester]

Indeed Hugo and Ian,
A local test case and prosecution will be helped by the large amount of solid evidence stored on various media,  including this very Forum! 😃😃

If nutters persist in this kind of anti social and pointless behaviour they'll soon find themselves stood in front of a judge.

[DaveR]

Thanks for bringing that to our attention Ian,  perhaps the Billy Nomates character who has appeared on here from time to time may take heed now and be aware of what may happen.

It has always amazed me that someone has the time and inclination to spend hours setting up fake profiles, email addresses etc, just to have a go at someone. I suppose they must be frustrated at life in general and have plenty of time on their hands, maybe a failing business or a dull retirement possibly? If only they could turn their efforts towards more positive things, they would be a lot happier themselves maybe?

Hopefully, the new CPS guidance will make them think twice about their actions, as I'm sure a court appearance and publicity in the local press would be very embarrassing for them.