If Your LO's Main Carer - Should You Be Exempt From Prison?

[Jemma_x]

I think they should be punished especially if its something serious they have done but i know noone should commit a crime but if its something really minor then i think maybe communtity service might be a better option if it is something really minor and its a first offence but obviously if its not a first offence or if they have done something serious then lock them up.

 

[ttc_lolly]

Just read the story so the mother is around so there is still a caregiver on the scene, i don't get it millions of single parents cope everyday, why is it she couldn't for 8 months whilst he served his sentence!?

this is an absolute joke! now thousands of other prisoners will get let off for the same thing as this will be set as a precedent now stupid system!!

 

[pumpkim]

this story actually goes deeper and makes my blood boil even more.
He has EIGHT previous convictions, and this was his FOURTH jail sentence.
One of his previous convictions was for threatening his five year olds headmistress because his son kept breaking the school rules, and he took offence at his child being discliplined!!

Sounds to me like the kids would be better off without him if that's the kind of role model he is
Like others have said, why couldn't their mother become the primary carer while he was in prison

 

[charlotte-xo]

I just cant believe it to be honest. what a joke!!..he gave up his rights when he committed an offence, he shouldve thought about his children before he did it some people.

 

[shortie1990]

People who commit crimes, surely loose their rights to human rights! just pisses me right off, and even if they were sentenced, they'd not serve most of it anyway,

one instance an ex boss of mine was sentenced to 8 years for child grooming/sexual offences, and supplying a class A drug to a minor, that was december 2007, he's apparently due out for release this summer...

he got his sentence halved by appealing, and then again for 'good behaviour' not bein funny but 'good behaviour' in a prison full of men...he wouldnt be doing 'good behaviour' around young girls, it makes me sick to my stomoch the justice system in this country, its a f*in JOKE!

 

[skydragonfly]

It makes a mockery of our justice system. His 'rights' ended the day he committed the crime.

 

[Blah11]

Defo not! If you commit a crime, you serve time in prison whether theres children involved or not. If anything, having children involved should make you stay on the right side of the law in the first place!

 

[Nibblenic]

Defo not! If you commit a crime, you serve time in prison whether theres children involved or not. If anything, having children involved should make you stay on the right side of the law in the first place!

Completly agree!

 

[tu123]

What a load of rubbish!

What sort of father is he anyway? I hope the social services are involved

I once saw a program where women offenders were in a "prison" where they had and kept their babies. I kinda liked that as moost of the women were there for petty crimes such as shop theft. And i read somewhere that women tend to commit crimes as they are lacking and are in poverty. Like stealing groceries from supermarkets, etc. I'd be up for backing these women and providing them education to better themselves.

Dont men tend to commit more serious crimes? And more for personal gain rather than need?

 

[charli87]

I saw it too and was disgusted!

I found out that when people go to prison if they are a council tenant the council has to keep thier property available for them when they come out as they can't make them homeless.... someone who deserves that property could be using it grrr!

REALLY? Didnt know that.....IMO if you commit a crime, i think you should forfeit any help you recieve from the state! Awful!!!

to my knowledge they only keep them open for 3 months, although each area may be different. it hasnt personally happened to me but theres a real scummy bloke who lived in our old block who got his flat kept open for the 2months he was inside for, oh yeah and he also doesnt even pay rent, but hes a druggy so its obvious what his housing benefit goes on, disgusting tbh!

as for the prison thing i think its shocking, at the end of the day dont commit the crime if you have people who depend on you, there are laws for a reason, its ridiculous!!

 

[indy and lara]

Maybe he should have thought of the children before committing a crime.

 

[allaboard]

Why can't his ex have the kids for the duration of the sentance?! If she is deemed safe to look after them over the weekend, then she's capable of looking after them full time. Millions of kids go to other family members in situations like this, i don' see why his circumstances are any different.

 

[Lightworker]

tu123- i agree- I think where women are concerned it is necessary to keep them with their children, as far as it is possible and practical and in the best interest of the child.
The way legislation is changing, the best interests and wishes of the child are paramount (as opposed to in the past when they were a mere consideration, if at all) and maybe thats what swung the decision to keep him with his children, maybe his children showed that they needed him etc

 

[moomin_troll]

but what if he had killed someone? would it still be ok to let a murderer loose on the streets because his kids need him?

 

[Lightworker]

No obviously not. I think they weigh the rights of the child versus their interest in preserving justice. If he killed someone he is clearly a danger to wider society and that need is greater than the childrens'. I don't agree with him not serving time mainly because his offences call into question his competence as a parent IYSWIM but overall I believe that the interests of affected children have to be given substantial consideration.

 

[LilLickysBump]

Im pretty shocked tbh!!
I cant stand thieve's and suchlike!! And to think this man has been allowed to actually remain in the lifes of those poor kids when he is such a scum bag!

He deserves to do more than 8 months......Burglary ruins peoples life!

 

[moomin_troll]

i cant see those kids having a great life atm with a scumbag for a father and a what seems to be useless mother.

i feel for his victims who now have lost out on justice

 

[Gen79]

Come on they stole some chocolate from a football club before this guy left. I'm not saying he's an angel but him having to serve his 8 months is not more important than his kids having a parent around. They were staying with an aunt who already had 7 kids to take care of. And if the mother couldn't have them you can imagine what kind of a situation that is (usually mum always gets the kids).

He's not a murderer, he's not a rapist. He's a dumb ass but he has kids to take care of. And its a suspended sentence. If he does anything at all in the next 2 years he goes right back.

Its about balancing all the facts rather than being reactionary.

 

[shellie82]

its disgusting, i used to work with some oldish guy and found out he had been arrested as police found pornographic child images on his computer but he did not get a custodial sentence as he cared for his poorly mother ( he was in his 50's so she must have been 70 at least)

its pathetic!!!

 

[cherryglitter]

No way.
He had no regard for his children when he committed the crime. So he should pay for it.