Judge slams police who only reprimanded young burglary suspect
A JUDGE has criticised police for reprimanding a young burglary suspect, instead of putting him before the courts.
Officers chose to believe the youth's claims that an older boy, 19-year-old Aaron Lord, was the prime mover in a burglary at a farmer's home in Chilwell.
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Judge Dudley Bennett
Judge Dudley Bennett, sentencing Lord, declared the police's actions as "utterly unjust".
He said the younger boy, aged 17, should have been prosecuted.
The judge said at Nottingham Crown Court: "I would like you to feed back to the police officer who made this decision how unjust it is, and how I feel my hands are tied in trying to be fair to this boy."
A Notts Police spokesman said the force had taken on board the judge's comments and would look into what happened.
The court was told how the farmer discovered the break-in when he got a call to say there was a fire near his farm on Christmas Eve.
Inside, the contents of drawers were strewn on the floor and the farmer's bed had been turned upside down.
Food and alcohol were missing.
A Toyota Carola and a pick-up truck were ablaze.
Lord, of Travers Road, Sandicare, was arrested after blood samples were tested and linked him to the burglary.
He pleaded guilty to one charge of arson as well as burglary, on the basis he was acting with the 17-year-old.
Police arrested the younger youth and interviewed him.
But he told officers Lord was the "prime mover" in the burglary.
"The police believed him, and in light of the fact he doesn't have previous convictions, they gave him a reprimand," said Jim Metcalf, for the prosecution, at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday.
Reprimands and final warnings replace what used to be called "cautions".
Judge Bennett had thought he would give Lord 21 months in custody for the burglary and an arson charge.
But he took into account Lord's guilty plea and the fact he had no convictions.
He decided to give him a chance, and postponed sentencing for six months.
Lord, who was said to come from an "extremely well-to-do and supportive family", was told to be back at court on January 14 to make sure he has not reoffended.
Judge Bennett asked Lord's step-mother what her attitude was to the crime and she replied "disgusting".
She said there had been a big change in her step-son and he was a totally different person.
The judge described the step-mother, who gave character evidence on Lord's behalf, as "old school" and a person who would was not have any nonsense.
After the hearing, a Notts Police spokesman said: "For someone to be reprimanded, an officer would work with the CPS and several things are taken into consideration, including a person's age, the nature of the offence, if the offence is admitted and their previous convictions.
"We take the judge's comments on board."
57 Comments
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by Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth
Wednesday, July 21 2010, 2:48PM
“Perhaps our impostor ¿Keyworth,Bowls Club¿ recognizing that I haven¿t attempted to have his posting removed could explain how someone who had been present at one of the many talks I have given to clubs in Keyworth and surrounding areas on Freemasonry would have been unaware of my membership,. Especially when , amongst other things, I was explaining what my personal regalia represented. I don¿t think you knew him at all or else, being the gentleman he was, he felt it was a private matter. By the way some years ago now he and his wife, together with 14 others from the Club, supported a joint camera club / Lodge charity supper at our home when we were raising money for Aquaboxes. Three years ago I also did a live interview with Radio Nottingham about Freemasonry and the popular misconceptions, what a pity you didn¿t listen in.”
by Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth
Tuesday, July 20 2010, 11:46PM
“Tom this is the most recent case I am aware of 27th May 2010 "David Graham was initially given a six month term. However, Crown officials appealed saying the sentence was too lenient, and on Thursday, judges ruled the sentence should be increased almost 13 times over. Graham will now spend six years and four months behind bars.
You may also be interested in the following ".Unduly lenient sentence referrals can arise in a number of ways.
¿ Areas may consider the sentence unduly lenient;
¿ interested parties including victims or the bereaved may contact the CPS;
¿ media coverage may prompt the Area to consider the case;
¿ the Attorney General may also be contacted directly, by MPs, peers, pressure groups or members of the public, or may respond to media coverage. In those cases, the AGO will request papers from the Area with casework responsibility for the case"”
by Tom, Ruddington
Tuesday, July 20 2010, 6:47PM
“Jail/gaol, or 'holiday camp'. They're all the same thing Mary - except that you get better standards in the former than any Butlins I've been to.
And Bill, really, you should know better than saying Cps appeal sentences. I'm talking from experience. If you want to retract this statement then quote two facts:
1. the number of jobs through court;
2. the numbers appealed by Cps
(throw in the number appealed by the defence)
Essentially there is no public complaint system against judges snentencing and you know it.”
by lynn, notts
Tuesday, July 20 2010, 4:40PM
“can i just let you all know that aaron has been in jail for the crime but the other lad as not even seen a cell and just to let you know not one of aarons family or friends are in any forces and dont know anything about masonic code”
by well to do family =, uncle is a copper
Monday, July 19 2010, 3:04PM
“So the little scroat comes from a ' well to do family ' then does he ?
Obviously not well to do enough,is it ?”
by Keyworth, Bowls Club
Monday, July 19 2010, 12:56AM
“Masonic Bill of Keyworth
bleats on about freedom of expression yet reports comments he does'nt agree with
What else did he censor 4 years (as a Mason) while writing for local papers and radio?
All defensive about the judge being a Mason - why?
my mate Ken Lewin in the Camera Club did'nt know you were a Mason”
by Elizabeth Fry, London
Sunday, July 18 2010, 10:23PM
“This man ought not to be imprisoned. And this Mr Lawrenson ought to learn correct English, sir.”
by Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth
Sunday, July 18 2010, 10:16PM
“MadB how many more names are you going to use tonight. Incidentally look up "Commission of Jail Delivery", the term jail was being used in England before the Americans started using it.”
by Lord Longford, London
Sunday, July 18 2010, 9:58PM
“It is quite obvious that this young fellow ought not to be sent down.
And, Mr Lawrenson, it is gaol, whether or not you are a mason.”
by Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth
Sunday, July 18 2010, 9:40PM
“Deceased Mary perhaps you would like to indicate when I have ever used the word jail. Tom of Ruddington you will find that the Prosecution can go to the Court of Appeal if they feel a sentence is too lenient and have done so on several occasions.”