I think that's a little too far! This stuff has been going on with ' celebrities' for years and people turned a blind eye. Not saying it's right though. I just think people are jumping on a bandwagon somewhat. And in reality as has already been pointed out, he is a fairly low level offender that may have happened through stupidity our arrogance or both, but there are far worse out there. There is always the thought that his arrogance impaired judgement and it all went a bit far. I also wonder without operation Yewtree being so recent would this have even gone to the police or justice system...
Thank god for operation Yewtree then The abusers have had it to easy, for too long. We are different on this, mate. No problems here. I don't have different levels of child abuse in my head, it is what it is, and if you are caught out then regardless of circumstances, you are the lowest of the low and should face full punishment. We all know the rules, no excuses.
Fair comment, no falling out on my part, just a diff of opinions. One Q though, would you categorise him the same as a Jimmy Saville or a Roy Whiting, just for me they are a world apart...
Those are, as well as many other things, psychopaths; and among the most dangerous and prolific criminals in the history of these isles.
They have read out a statement by the girl....she said that when they first met, she told him that she had just turned fifteen. That means just over 14....may seem like splitting hairs, but kids change a lot in a year....big difference between a girl just 15 and a girl nearly 16.
Agree Fran, that's the main bit I find odd. if she was nearly 16 you would think to wait a couple of months or whatever, if you were that way inclined. But knowing she was just past 14, I'm fairly open minded but that does border more than creepy.
And this would have made it so much more difficult for the jury. Seeing a video link of her at 16, they would have found it hard to picture her at just turned 15 when Johnson started his grooming.
I think they can apply to travel outside of the country, on a temporary basis, but would be surprised if that was for anything more than a holiday. It would be stipulated within the terms of licence. With regards to future employment, even here he would be allowed to work - just not in a job that brings him into contact with vulnerable adults or children.
No it is not too high. The Basingstoke case was way too low. The perspective here is that the punishment needs to be as high as possible for both. Regards A father of a 13 year old girl
Can't believe that prison term for the teacher. They are in locus parentis.....3/4 years no where near enough.
Yep it's were our system ****s up. The inconsistency in sentences is just stupid. It should have been 5yrs for every offence so 95yrs....
Never really got a life sentence isn't really life in this country. The US do go over the top. But I think for the real serious crimes/offenders life should mean life.
My inclination is to agree with you on both counts. However we can't afford emotional responses within the justice system. Judges get things wrong enough without emotions playing a part. This judge is certainly under pressure. Let's hope we get a better judgement than the one in the case of that creepy RE teacher when the judge claimed the girl groomed him. If there is a hint that the girl encouraged him I will be forced to go on a letter writing splurge. Or an axe attack, but this is a high risk strategy. Young girls (and boys) flirt. Responsible adults recognise it for the experimenting it is and behave like adults. Not like a kid in a candy store using their pricks for brains.
Understand why the Judge has given himself a long time before sentencing, as this is an awkward one. Should the girls age be taken into account? If the girl was 10/11 years old then its much worse, but the actual crimes are still the same. There was a guy recently convicted in Winchester who got about 5 years for grooming a boy on his Xbox, but he never actually met the boy in person. Are the crimes committed by AJ worth greater punishment than a rape sentencing? Ched Evans served 2 years of a 5 year sentence for example. Pleased that he will be doing some jail time. Whether more than a couple of years serves anyone any good is debatable in my view.
Ok Mr Matteroffact ! There are differing views on sentencing, I have an 18 yo daughter and still feel 10 yr is too high. There is an interesting film that gives a perspective from a different angle called Lolita . Obviously I'm not comparing this girl to her but it does open up a debate in the general sense that not all is black and white or pre determined, and sometimes **** happens that ordinarily we should deal with correctly but for a number of reasons we don't. I'm not defending Johnson here at all as clearly he has done wrong but just see slightly alternative angles too, whilst still keeping site of the crime.
