Why Can't We Punish Happy Slappers More Severely?

Question

Why can't we punish happy slappers more severely? I am SICK TO DEATH of reading about these pea-brained morons every day. It really depresses you and you wish to God you could do something about these despicable thugs yourself.

Anybody who derives pleasure from beating up and filming some poor victim must be utterly SICK and TWISTED, that's all I've got to say.

We need tougher punishments and an end to the softly softly approach.

Answer 1

If caught, they get punished just as severly as anyone who assaults someone else, if not more (it also depends on the severity of the attack). Judges take into account that the attacks are completely unprovoked, and of a sick/twisted nature. All the evidence is quite conveniently provided in video form!

Unfortunately, many of these kids look the same and are hard to find / the police can't be bothered to chase after them or don't see it as a priority because there are so many minor cases. Pressing charges takes up a lot of the victim's time (they will have take time off work/school) and sometime's it just isn't worth the effort.

Answer 2

Why cant we punish rapists more severely? why cant we punish murders with a life sentence that doesnt mean an average of about 7-10 years?

The answer is probably due to public policy. If the crimes carried higher sentences the courts would probably be less likely to convict, and the CPS is clearly of the opinion (as I think most of society is) that a short conviction is better than no conviction at all. This is shown by the CPS constantly downgrading criminal offences. I've seen examples should be classified as borderline ABH/ reckless GBH, going for a common assault or battery. Its ridiculous because max sentence for battery/ assault is 6 months, max for ABH is 7 and reckless GBH is 7 years aswell I think. (GBH with Intent has a max of life just to put things into context)

Remember that case of the 4 youths that kicked a barman to death and filmed it on their phone? that is NO DOUBT Murder. In a nutshell an intention to cause GBH is enough for a murder conviction (hence why GBH with intent hasa life sentence) The CPS own charging standards say that kicking somebody in the head while they are down is GBH with intent. Thats exactly what these little s***s did. So how did they only get convicted of manslaughter? Policy. They didnt want to hand the life sentence to the 4, 3 of whom I think were under 18.

Another policy consideration I beleive leading to the soft punishment is the jail over crowding. You saw on the news a while back that case of a sex offender who got a suspended sentence because the jails were full. Ridiculous. They give soft sentences because, hey, less time in jail, quicker turn around, get that cell free quicker. Then the government will probably try and warp this into saying that they have successfully reduced prison overcrowding. Jesus christ I can imagine the cabinet meeting. 'We need to reduce the over crowding of prisons' 'I KNOW! Lets NOT send people to prison! That'll help!!' I could have come up with a better solution when i was 10.

On the other hand, we need stiffer sentences on happy slapping to send the message that the behaviour will not be tolerated, and hopefully provide more of a deterant effect.

Anyway, yea probably policy, though I ask how it is in the publics interest to let these people off lightly?

Answer 3

Because the lawyer representing the accused blames everyone else (Including the victim!) for the crime, The judicial service in the UK have become too "Pink and Fluffy" when dealing with offenders now, a lot of it is the fault of Brussels who can't stop interfering with UK laws..

Don't get me wrong, the punishment MUST fit the crime, but why not take a much more severe attitude when dealing with violent offences, just now if you run up to someone and assault them, you will get maybe a fine, maybe some community service (If you bother doing it!) but that's about it... BUT If you steal the victims wallet whilst doing it, you will likely get a custodial sentence, Where is the logic in this way of thinking??? We blame the Police for the "Ned/Chav" culture but its the court's that are allowing this problem to remain!!!
We REALLY need Westminster to get a review of the Judiciary, we must get rid of the ineffective Judges..

Answer 4

I agree. If you get any kind of pleasure from being filmed beating another person up (and you notice its always some ******* little COWARD doing it whilst they're backed up by 10 of their mates. Doubt they'd be so "hard" on their own) you are sick in the head.

That little b*tch from "X-Factor" who was shown all over the media beating up another girl on camera should have been thrown into a YOI for what she did. The evidence was there on film. GBH. If I was the parents of the girl she attacked I'd have dragged her scummy little azz through the courts and seen her go down for her viciousness.

OR I'd have got a bunch of MY mates together, waylaid her when she was on her own, beat the crap out of her, filmed it and see just how SHE liked it.

Answer 5

Hotzone 4 has it!

Scotland. The country where the police can't stop terrorist attacks but baggage handlers knock the s**t out of the terrorists.
In England, the guy would have been arrested for racially aggrevated assault!

Happy slapping does not exist in Scotland. Well they may do it once.............

I no longer visit England, it is just not worth it. The innocent are treated as guilty and the guilty escape justice.

Answer 6

I cannot see the fuss with Happy Slappers, If I ever received one then I would give the giver a Happy Punch


he would not be able to stand for at least ten mins, during that time I would be laughing my socks off

Answer 7

The names & addresses of criminals (happy sllappers are criminals, it is ABH or even GBH after all)should be public knowlage.
Police should turn a blind eye when the families of a victim try to beat some sense into the criminal.
This would also save alot of taxpayers money from funding prisons. I would rather pay tax to bury a criminal than pay for years of 'hotel' rent for them.

Answer 8

It isn't any worse than any other assault, so it shouldn't be punished any more severely.

However, you CAN do something about them yourself. Defend yourself when and if you are attacked, and then have them arrested and sue the pants off of both the attacker and the person filming. They won't think it's so funny when you get their checks garnished for the next fifteen years to pay the judgement.

Answer 9

I was in an abusive relationship a few years ago, and I wholeheartedly agree.

I think walking up and down a busy street picking up garbage while holding a sign that says "I beat up my wife" would be appropriate- let the public handle the situation.

Answer 10

There would appear to be no "happy slappers" in the west of Scotland where I live. Guess why? They would get their bollox booted into the middle of next week if they tried that s h i t here.