Fire extinguisher inflames judge

[dangel]

Umm fascist dictatorship? Crikey, somebody needs to travel more!

Seriously, chucking a heavy metal object off tall building into crowd - did he think at all or just "ahhh it'll be a laugh and nobody will actually get hit by it". The bloke's an idiot or just a complete twonk - either way i'm personally rather happy he got sent down for it. Who's this 'man' bloke thing anyway?

[badass]

Sounds a reasonable sentence to me given his actions and the context.

+1
A minimum of a year and a bit behind bars seems appropriate for such a criminally dangerous act.

[chuckskull]

Having watched the video of him doing it, I think the sentence was completely fair, perhaps even lenient he seemed to be aiming at the coppers to me and it also seemed a lot less than a metre. Could have very easily killed someone, those things are very heavy(10-20kg) and that's quite a height. He should think himself lucky he wasn't on murder charges, a light breeze and he could well have been.

[nibbler]

He didn't get done for that though, he got done for 'commiting violent disorder' - I wouldn't say murder either but I'd be on the line between 'violent disorder' and attempted manslaughter. I just don't know all the facts though (like everyone else) so can't really make much of an informed comment.

Yeah I know, I was responding to those who said it should have been attempted murder earlier.
The judge said that if ever there was a case for a deterrent sentence then this was it.

[samcross]

I wonder if this will hamper his chances of going to university....?

[j.col]

Seems very lenient for attempted murder. He either knew he was likely to kill someone, or is so criminally mornic that he's better off locked up.

well said, he is that stupid, he deseves to be locked up

[TheAnimus]

Precisely. He's getting the smack down because he wasn't bending over and taking whatever parliament wants to shove up his arse. Also hence the use of violence by police to disperse protests.

Right two problems.

One your agreeing with petercook7, just read some of the recent posts and you'll see my point, hardly a moral compass.

But the violence used by police? Do you mean the violence they used which caused them to take refuse in trashing a building 90% of which has nothing to do with the government. Yes they were taking refuse from the violent police when they broke onto the roof, removed important safety equipment, then decided to throw it over the edge, onto a large group of people down below.

Yes he was definitely taking part in a legitimate form of protest and clearly doesn't deserve any of the treatment he has received.

So lets follow through his actions, one broke into a building, gained access to the roof, stole an important piece of safety equipment, then decided to throw it down onto a large crowd below.

How can you begin to defend those actions?

[aidanjt]

Again, where did I defend his actions? He was tried and rightfully convicted of violent disorder. The sentence, however, was a product of discouragement of protest against the government. And it certainly doesn't absolve the system for projecting brazen authoritarianism.

[chuckskull]

Just to dispel that misconception, coppers love peaceful protests. Everyone single one I've spoken to does and having coppers in the family that's quite a few. They get to eat junk food(usually comped by the force), have interesting conversations with nice law abiding citizens, meet other coppers to share war stories and generally have a nice day out without to much running or getting hit with things.

This idiot has as much to do with legitimate peaceful protest as my left testicle has to do with quantum mechanics. Harsh sentences for people like him help protect legitimate protest and legitimate protesters.

[young_one]

Having watched the video of him doing it, I think the sentence was completely fair, perhaps even lenient he seemed to be aiming at the coppers to me and it also seemed a lot less than a metre. Could have very easily killed someone, those things are very heavy(10-20kg) and that's quite a height. He should think himself lucky he wasn't on murder charges, a light breeze and he could well have been.

Exactly, having seen the video he deserves everything he gets.

On a sidenote, whilst his actions aren't attempted murder in the premeditated sense, surely there is the other side of the coin in which he deserves a harsher sentence due to the sheer unprovoked haphazardness of not caring if or who he killed, which to me is a scarier mindset even in the middle of a riot.

[Barrichello]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12159581

It was a moronic thing to do but 2 years 8 months in jail for a first offence seems harsh or did he get what he deserved?

He's not going to be in for 2 years and 8 months we all know that, although he should be.

I read he could of gone uni before the fee increases kick in. Not now though.

[santa claus]

He's not going to be in for 2 years and 8 months........

True. I'm just thankful noone filmed the stupid things I did when I was 18.

[TooNice]

On a sidenote, whilst his actions aren't attempted murder in the premeditated sense

Though no one can know for sure what his real intents were (let alone prove), would it technically be attempted murder if at that very moment, he had thought of permanently 'knock out' an officer (as opposed to a specific officer)?

[Terbinator]

Guys a dick TBH and fully deserves the sentence.

What was he expecting to happen, really. I don't think it's too far a stretch to him dropping that off the roof into a crowd of people than dropping a grenade.

[IronWarrior]

I still can't believe he missed when he throw it. He must suck at shooting and everything else that requires you to aim.

But anyway, fair sentence for the crime, but most likely he be out sooner or later on good behavior. Also gotta add what an idiot to screw up his life.

[chadders]

All I'm saying is be careful what you wish for, yes he was stupid - but - and it's a big but, nobody was actually hurt (by luck or whatever).

Going down the path of deciding sentances for "what could have happened" would be imho worrying.

I will draw comparisons with motoring offences, your average law abiding joe/joanna, paying tax, insurance all have access to something capable of more damage than a fire extinguisher. I'm trying to say, you can sit at home and comment on such outrageous behaviour but overlook your own driveway.

How would they feel if this practice happened with motoring offences? Perhaps it should?

Dangerous Driving
eg overtake with no chance of success, perhaps have a crash but 'luckily' nobody hurt.
Magistrates Court = level 5 fine (up to £5,000) and/or up to 6 months custody
Crown Court = unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years custody (endorse 3 to 11 points)

Death by Dangerous Driving
eg as above but somebody unfortunately dies.
1 to 14 years imprisonment, disqual min 2 years and pass extended test, obligatory endorsement

So, lob a fire extinguisher off the roof and don't hit anyone get 2.5 years (up to 5 years max) - yet drive upwards of 1 ton of metal with no regard for anyones safety and up to 2 years max?

*i'm in no way condoning his actions, he's a complete twonk, and I'm not pro/anti motoring offences.