My friend was stabbed to death a year ago today !?

Question

The scumbag that done it is due out in the end of august 2008,My question is what sentances/punishments should be given for.

A, carrying a knife
B, using a knife (killing or not)
C, carrying a gun
D, using a gun (killing or not)

I'm in the U.K where our laws are a joke btw.

Answer 1

My sympathies go out to you and your friends family. I do believe that our laws need changing. Merely carrying a knife or a gun should not warrant a punishment or a prison sentence (as it depends on why you are carrying it - farmers, gamekeepers, etc all need guns). Admittedly, no excuse for handguns (unless you are an Olympic athlete), etc
Using them to harm someone or kill someone, requires a stiff jail sentence. But remember a brick, a bottle, spanner, etc even a fist, can all be used to kill people. Are we going to outlaw them?
However, as Ghandi famously said, "an eye for an eye will make the whole world go blind" and I have to agree with them even though I too have lost a close friend (many years ago) to violence.
I am amazed that the criminal behind this is out at the end of August 2008, that must have been a very quick prosecution!

Answer 2

I had a friend stabbed to death a few years ago and her killer will thankfully never get out, why is yours getting out? Was he/she actually convicted of murder or was it manslaughter/GBH?

B and D both carry a up to a life sentence, if you commit GBH with intent for example, when the judge passes the minimum tariff to be served this means that date is the earliest that the convict can apply for parole, it may not be granted and he can be called back into jail at any time. I think contary to popular belief this is an appropriate punishment, because I don't think sentencing people to a set time [e.g. "life"] is the right way to go, for numerous reasons.

On a side note, I'd much rather see my friends murderer stay in jail safe in the knowedge he will not get out until he is too old to use the toilet by himself, than he he executed tomorrow, I'm sure the former is a much worse punshment.

For the same reasons the punishment for A and C are right, I think it's about 7 years? But it can probably go up depending on circumstances. But remember carrying a weapon is an offence in itself, and carrying does not mean I intend to use it. I may go out with a wallet, doesn't mean I plan to buy anything.

The law isn't a joke, but judges (e.g. my father who is a judge) have a difficult job to do.

Bruver

Answer 3

Im sorry for your loss and im really sorry that they are letting the one who did it out so quickly, our laws are a joke , all the above offeneces i think should carry a minimum of 2yrs in prison and if a murder is commited then life without the chance to appeal and be let out, i mean less than 12mths for what he did to your friend absoulute joke, can you not go to the courts and do something or not? I dont know much about those kind of things, maybe find out.Get a petition signed and ask a solicitor where is best place to send it or something, this has got to be stopped all these crazy scumbags who commited terrible crimes being let out so quiclky.

Answer 4

May his soul rest in peace your friend. I hope it does not take over your life the loss of your friend. As for punishments, i think whoever carries a murder weapon especially when just going out like to a pub should be locked up for a year atleast. I hate violence. But thing is the weapon is not a danger, the one carrying it is. Unfortunately punishments here in most european countries are not bad and for €50 i hear one can buy a guy on street. Anyone that uses a weapon on another no matter how light the injury is should not be given chance to come out of jail just like that

Answer 5

Well im in Australia,Carrying a knife gets you a $500 fine,Using a knife on some-one would get you about 2 years jail depending how bad they where stabbed or slashed,Carrying a gun i think gets you a $1000 fine for an illegal fire arm and 2 years jail,Using a gun killing or not gets you about 3-5 years jail,

Answer 6

I think it should be five years for carrying knife or gun (minimum-no chance of gtting out early for good behaviour) and for using a knife or gun whether killing someone or not should it should be 20 years.(again-minimum).
If that was bought in as law I bet it would stop at least some of the little scum bags.
I am so sorry about your friend.x

Answer 7

Hi

I am sorry to hear about your friend.

It's difficult - i don't know about A&C.

But punishment should be like for like - life if life is taken.

I was attacked by two men with a knife - one of them was caught a year later and only got six months.

The effect of it for me will last a lifetime - and the punishment as far as i am concerned it nothing because he only did two months and was out again.

Answer 8

hi im from the uk too and i agree da laws ere r a joke!
sorry to hear bout ya friend life is cruel n sorry but also very f***ed up, iv never been in your situation but ma heart goes out to you
xxx

Answer 9

the punishment should fit the crime - life should mean life, and death should be restored fo the worst offenders (and i don't mean 15 years on death row, i mean take the scumbag out back and stick a bullet in his head.)

Answer 10

I'm sorry to hear that, and understand your anger. Sometimes I think that we have gone too far in banning corporal punishment ... especially in cases like this.