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Posted By: davaw1 Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 1:49pm
England riots: Two jailed for using Facebook to incite disorder

Two men from Cheshire have been jailed for four years each for using Facebook to incite disorder during riots in England last week.

Jordan Blackshaw, 21, of Vale Road, Marston and Perry Sutcliffe-Keenan, 22, of Richmond Avenue, Warrington, were jailed at Chester Crown Court.

The Recorder of Chester, Judge Elgan Edwards praised the swift actions of Cheshire Police.

He said he hoped the sentences would act as a deterrent to others.

Both men pleaded guilty under sections 44 and 46 of the Serious Crime Act to intentionally encouraging another to assist the commission of an indictable offence.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Blackshaw had created a Facebook event called "Smash d[o]wn in Northwich Town", intended for the receipt of the "Mob Hill Massive Northwich Lootin'".

The page went on to specify a meeting time and place of 9 August, between 13:00 and 16:00 BST, "behind maccies" - thought to be the McDonald's restaurant in Northwich town centre.

'Serious disorder'

Blackshaw also added the first comment on his page, writing: "We'll need to get this kickin off all over."

Police were alerted to Sutcliffe-Keenan's page when members of the public raised concerns on 9 August.

The page invited people to "riot" on 10 August between 19:00 BST and 22:00 BST.

Martin McRobb, from the Merseyside and Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service, said: "They both used Facebook to organise and orchestrate serious disorder at a time when such incidents were taking place in other parts of the country.

"Both defendants, in Northwich and Warrington respectively, sought to gain widespread support in order to replicate similar criminality."

'Abused technology'

He added: "While the judge heard the two defendants were previously of good character, they admitted committing very serious offences that carry a maximum sentence of 10 years."

Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police, Phil Thompson, said: "From the offset Cheshire Constabulary adopted a robust policing approach using the information coming into the organisation to move quickly and effectively against any person whose behaviour was likely to encourage criminality.

"Officers took swift action against those people who have been using Facebook and other social media sites to incite disorder.

"The sentences passed down today recognise how technology can be abused to incite criminal activity and sends a strong message to potential troublemakers about the extent to which ordinary people value safety and order in their lives and their communities.

"Anyone who seeks to undermine that will face the full force of the law."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-14551582

What do you think on these sentences?
Posted By: bert1 Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 2:04pm
Probably be reduced on appeal unfortunately, it was the other one i heard on the news which was more annoying, 3 got 18 months(not enough) and the one who had a history of drug and alcohol addiction got a 10 month suspended sentence, all for the same crime.
Posted By: BandyCoot Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 2:08pm
The suspended sentence they deserve is the one where they're hanging from a dangly rope. The jobs that some of these idiots hold down as well????? Disadvantaged my arse.
Posted By: davaw1 Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 2:14pm
I think they are harsh.

Four years for making a group on Facebook which nothing came of it. Just two young lads who made a mistake.

Most drug dealers, serious assualt cases, rapists and paedophiles don't even get four years.

Two stupid young lads who were previously of good character, surely a community penalty would of been better?
Posted By: bert1 Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 2:19pm
I hold the opinion that other sentencing is to lenient, because nothing came of it is no defence, i could plan to blow up a load of people, just because i don't pull it off shouldn't mean i get off with it.
Posted By: BandyCoot Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 2:21pm
So what do you do if someone makes a big bomb up and doesn't get round to setting it off, slap on the wrist? If their riots had got worked up and someone had been killed it would've been too late. They certainly were idiots and they won't do it again and it might discourage some others from having a go, job done.
Posted By: Spritey_Nikki Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 2:27pm
Hmmm i am in two minds about this one - and you all pose good arguments.

I feel the sentences have been too harsh for them - 4 years is a long time for planning a riot that never pulled off. There is a slight difference between trying (and failing) to organise a riot and to threatening to blow a load of people up!

However on the other hand, I don't believe they should get away with trying to do something like this - maybe a lesser sentence so their jail cell can hold a convicted peodaphile or a cold blooded killer instead.

Maybe a sentence of 12 months, and community service.

But that's my opinion.
Posted By: Silverback Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 2:28pm
Originally Posted by davaw1
I think they are harsh.

Four years for making a group on Facebook which nothing came of it. Just two young lads who made a mistake.

Most drug dealers, serious assualt cases, rapists and paedophiles don't even get four years.

Two stupid young lads who were previously of good character, surely a community penalty would of been better?


All these sentences being handed out are just 'money for the boys', and to appease the baying public, by making it look like the are doing something.

The judges are passing these sentences knowing they're going to be appealed, and in times of recession the legal profession, just like any other, are going to do their best to keep their salaries up.

Posted By: detsi Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 2:30pm
Originally Posted by BandyCoot
So what do you do if someone makes a big bomb up and doesn't get round to setting it off, slap on the wrist? If their riots had got worked up and someone had been killed it would've been too late. They certainly were idiots and they won't do it again and it might discourage some others from having a go, job done.


I suspect that this was purpose of the sentence.
Posted By: TheDr Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 2:32pm
Some sentencing has very little to do with the actual offence and far more the deterrent it gives to others who might consider similar action.

If peopl want to do something, they will, and nothing anybody can ever do will stop them, what you have to do is to make it so that if they do (whatever the action may be) the consequences of doing so far outweigh any immediate advantage they may achieve.
Posted By: davaw1 Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 2:39pm
I agree these are sentences to make an example of the boys and so know one else thinks about doing it.

I just think it's wrong ruining the next four years of these lads lives for a silly mistake they made on the internet.
Posted By: 2005wireman Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 3:35pm
Put it this way they both deserve what they got.Imagine if they where in saudi they would have been flogged and sentance to a harsh life in a saudi prison. Cause the saudi goverment would had seen it as a up rising.. in some of the saudi country you would get your hand cut off if you robbed a car or a pencil.
Posted By: Nelzy84 Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 3:40pm
Originally Posted by 2005wireman
Put it this way they both deserve what they got.Imagine if they where in saudi they would have been flogged and sentance to a harsh life in a saudi prison. Cause the saudi goverment would had seen it as a up rising.. in some of the saudi country you would get your hand cut off if you robbed a car or a pencil.
withthat

After all it's the thought that counts isn't it ?

Some countries they would have been hanged. Deserve everything they've got coming to them. I'm sure they would want the same if it was their families homes or business burnt down.
Posted By: 2005wireman Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 3:42pm
I know one of these guys he deseved what he got
Posted By: davaw1 Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 4:11pm
Well we live in a country that doesn't operate a biblical judicial system and if they deserve what they got, what do paedophiles deserve for downloading child porn? Which is a much more severe offence imo.
Posted By: Anonymous Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 9:55pm
Originally Posted by davaw1
what do paedophiles deserve for downloading child porn? Which is a much more severe offence imo.


They deserve 20 minutes in a locked room with the childs parents!

Back to the original topic, I think the law has been far to light on criminals in the past. These people got what they deserved as should all the children who took part in the actual riots, can't be named for "legal reasons", bollox! If they can rampage through the streets they can be named in the press and should be tried and sentenced as adults as should their parents!
Posted By: dave_h Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 10:36pm
those sentancing need to show the same 'balls' when dealing with major threats to society!

those people should be sent to afghan to prove patrol routes clear of IEDs,
Posted By: Anonymous Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 17th Aug 2011 11:33pm
Send them in blindfold with heavy boots!
Posted By: woodley Re: Facebook riot sentencing - 18th Aug 2011 4:06am
I believe the judicial system is usually to blame for a heck of a lot of trouble that continues to occur. Police work very hard to identify the culprits who are rewarded with a slap on the wrist. This no deterent for criminals - which is what these lads are. There are many crimes which are much too leniently dealt with and the courts (my opinion only) need to step up and dish out more sentences which would hopefully make these people think twice before commiting similar offences. Had they succeeded in their efforts, how many innocent people would have suffered?
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