I Watched A Tv Prog Tonight...

[Jeza]

Where people were caught red handed stealing from a pub cellar, beer barrels and crates of beer. The landlord locked them in the cellar and called the police. The perpetrators also called the police as they feared they would be locked in all weekend. They were given a police caution. I fear for our society, I really do.

[Jeza]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2256477/Beer-thieves-locked-cellar-quick-thinking-pub-landlord-escape-police-caution-THEY-999.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

[sir.prize]

We dare not punish the baddies; they will ask Europe about their human rights.

[Zacs-Master]

So you watch Look North too. Disgraceful outcome.

[EcclesCake]

But if they didn't actually manage to steal anything I don't see that anything more than a caution would have been appropriate.

A caution will remain on file and affect job applications, car insurance, mortgage applications and many other day to day matters. They haven't been let off that lightly.

[DTCwordfan]

I can see trouble brewing over this story.

[Jeza]

Eccles, would you have said the same had they been in your house?

[sir.prize]

Eccles - doesn't the word 'intent' come into consideration?

[DaisyNonna]

What constitutes a minor offence?

[EcclesCake]

I fully appreciate the intent. However the punishment seems perfectly inline with the crime, there was no violence or threat of violence from the thieves.

A dose of community service might have done them some good but apart from that I can't see anything else being appropriate.

Jeza I have been burgled, I didn't feel the need to have the perpetrators head on a stick though.

[Jeza]

DT. I see where you're coming from, but what is your take on this?

[Jeza]

Eccles, I also have been burgled. They took everything and I mean everything, even the light fittings and my sanity for a while.

[Khandro]

There is in law 'Entering' which is barely an offence, and 'Breaking and entering' which is, how did they get in? If they broke and entered and he'd let them get out with goods before apprehended them, there would have been a crime committed.

[DaisyNonna]

Er, excuse me. Theft is illegal and anti-social. I have been burgled twice, two different locations. On neither occasion was I apprised of the outcome after the perpretrators had been apprehended. A caution? ie. Don't get locked in next time.

[EcclesCake]

I'm sorry to hear that Jeza but I do think you are letting your past experience colour your judgement in this case which is about £140 worth of beer.....

[Jeza]

Eccles, Are you involved in the legal system?

[DaisyNonna]

Must be nice to be able to allow theft of £140 to be trivialised.

[sir.prize]

Does the UK have a legal system?

[EcclesCake]

The two teenagers in question who were cautioned will discover that there is nothing trivial about the impact a caution may have on their future education and career paths.

I certainly do not consider a caution to be trivial, I do consider it in proportion with their crime though.

[Jeza]

How long does a caution last Eccles?

[DaisyNonna]

To a teenager the future is another country. They need to be punished now, not later on. When older will be able to say, I was only young and did not understand. Illegal is just that, illegal. Wrong is wrong.