“Im gald it has been cut it was far to long they had been given. surely a fine would have been more appropriate.”

“John, Dunholme. There is nothing wrong with the jury system; it has served us well for eight hundred years. Nor is there a problem with the weight of proof required to convict. The problem is with how judge¿s powers to sentence are curtailed.

I would not like to see someone sent down for 25-year because it was probable they committed an offence.

Think of it this way, would you be happy that you are fined and get 3 points on your licence because you probably broke the speed limit.”

“So you are looking towards a version of the Northern Ireland courts John, Dunholme? Part of living in a civilised society is for the Jury to be made up of the public.
John, firstly most countries in the EU have signed up to and go along with the EU law despite what you might read in your morning paper.
Prison do have facilities but pay Lincoln a visit to get some idea of what they are like, again nothing like what your sensationalist morning paper says. Grim victorian cells, often in with a violent cell mate. You get time out for meals and maybe an hour or so a day to have leisure. The rest of the time you remain in your cell. I for one would not enjoy being in the same room for up to 22 hours a day with a dangerous offender and little to do for any more than a week. Get out there and learn for yourself what actually happens rather than spouting nonsense you have gleaned and regurgitated from the media.”

“Why I should feel a sense of overwhelming shame and despair I don't know. This is par for the course and only to be expected these days, the victim and their families are always come a poor second when it comes to violence and crime.
Jackie Smith keeps trying to promote the idea that it is all in our minds ( ie the perception of crime ) she hasn't got a clue and is so out of touch it beggars belief (far too busy working out her claims, or paying her husband to do it for her). In fact this government and the last has systematically got us into this mess and we keep voting them in.
Nothing will change in this country until we have a fair system of proportional representation that will ensure that our views are properly represented in parliment. Voting for the big two will never bring this about.
I wish Mr Swallow all the best and sincerely hope he recovers from his ordeal intact.”

“If you look back to a time when people could hang for murder the courts frequently went for a lesser charge to ensure a conviction rather than letting them go free if the evidence was not totally convincing, so this is nothing new.

A possible way to solve this problem is to remove the jury and the need for proof beyond reasonable doubt. Then have three judges looking for the balance of probability. This way more people would be convicted of serious crimes on weaker evidence.”

“Maybe it is time to have a complete shake up of the judicial system.

I for one want to see judges to be re-empowered and allowed more freedom in sentencing. Guidelines should guide and not restrict judges in how they conduct their courts.”

“It is the fault of the government whether it be Labour or Conservative which signed up and follows the EU Human Rights procedures and instructions when most EU countries don't bother.
We Brtis (not neccessary all) are the mugs who have been taken for a ride concerning law and order for the UK.
The English particularly are last in the pecking order concerning the Scots, the Welsh, and people of Northern Ireland.
The English are a laughing stock with the rest of Europe.
Yes, we do need a change of government but sorry folks, not electing one of the three main parties where greed, sleeze, and corruption rule.
To get proper justice, the legal system needs reform, ignoring EU policy on the the human rights of criminals, and concentrating on the victims.
It is no justice that the criminals can apply and get Legal Aid where most victims are left to paid legal fees.
After all, while the victims are suffering on the outside, the criminals and get full board and lodge and the use of prison facilities provided by the you and I, the taxpayer, inside.
It is no wonder that criminals have no respect of others and are using the legal system for their own benefit and needs.
Law and order- it is a joke!!!!”

“Mike, have a read of the article as to why the hands were 'tied'. Nothing to do with being puppets but because it would be breaking the law”

“Judges' hands tied!! what? I thought judges were able to act on their own discretion and pass sentence accordingly. Seems I'm wrong and judges are merely puppets. These disgusting excuses for human beings should be locked up for life!”

“If they had of beaten the guy to DEATH, they would of only gotten about 6 years in jail.Thats the state that this country is in.

Most prisoners actually LIKE being in prison as they are with like minded people, enjoy free rent and food and get to watch tv and play playstations all day.

I got attacked in lincoln by a chav with a hammer and he got a £100 fine which after 4 years has never been paid at all and even if it had of been it would of been paid out of his dole money.It was a waste of my time to even pursue it in the courts.”