criminal damage

[steedyeddie]

two years ago i got convicted of assault on a policeman i recieved 200 hours community service,i also got a two year suspended sentence,a week before that two years was due i got arrested for criminal damage,i said guilty at police station hoping for a caution as never been charged with this offence before,im going court next month is there a chance i could get jailed?

[Buenchico]

It depends upon the extent of the criminal damage (and also on factors like pre-meditation).

If you simply put your fist through the glass in a bus shelter, after a drunken row with your girlfriend, the chances of the court sending you to prison for the criminal damage, or of activating the suspended sentence, are probably just about zero.

However, if you went down to your old school, armed with several cans of petrol, and burnt the entire place down (causing millions of pounds of damage) you could expect to receive a heft custodial sentence for the criminal damage (which now includes arson), with the likelihood of having the suspended sentence activated as well.

Since you were hoping for a caution, it seems likely that your circumstances will be closer to my first example than my second, so the chances of you being 'sent down' are probably very slim. However it's not surprising that you weren't just cautioned. Most police forces only issue cautions to first-time offenders (or possibly to people who've not been in trouble for many years). If you commit any offences in future, you should expect to be charged rather than cautioned, irrespective of how minor the offence might be.

Chris

[steedyeddie]

thanks very much for the reply,the criminal damage i caused was at football i kicked a hoarding at the front of the pitch and my foot went through it,just typical of my luck

[zbearspirit]

Hi S, Sorry to tell you that depending on the
magistrates there is a possibility that your suspended sentence could be activated and there is a possibility that you could go to prison. If I were you I would make sure that you get a solicitor to represent you in court.

[steedyeddie]

cheers for reply zbear I think i will get solicitor me going there thinking i will just get a fine is a bit niaive really i know what theses magistrates are like.