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[Nickbat]

In Blackburn Cathedral, two teenagers scribbled racist and sexually-abusive graffiti in prayer books, and bent a priceless John The Baptist cross out of shape, causing £3,000 damage.

The two white vandals were caught after writing their own names in the visitors’ book, Blackburn Magistrates’ Court heard. The insults included: “I will kill all Jews” and lurid comments about “the vicar”.

With me so far?

The magistrate sentenced Boy A to an 18-month supervision order and a £1,500 fine and Boy B to a year’s supervision order and £100 fine. As he did so he remarked: “This court is disgusted by the mindless destruction you have caused. Normal people would consider you absolute scum.”

That seems like reasonable observation to me.

But


...the court clerk challenged Mr Molloy in open court, saying he had used "inappropriate language".

She then encouraged one of the boys mothers to go ahead with her plans to make an official complaint.

The magistrate has now been suspended.

From various sources, including:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/7733002/Magistrate-who-called-vandals-scum-relieved-of-his-duties.html

What a country we have become.

[joshwyatt]

I'm currently in the process of applying to become a magistrate, and will be attending some further interviews shortly.
I would happily call anyone scum who did that, and not hesitate in the least. Ideally, yes...it was perhaps not the wisest of words...but I don't see any issue with it.
Bearing in mind, every single case is always heard at a magistrate's court first, from rape to murder they see everything.
All cases start in mag's, then go to CC or other CC or higher if need be.

[Vamps]

I'm currently in the process of applying to become a magistrate, and will be attending some further interviews shortly.
I would happily call anyone scum who did that, and not hesitate in the least. Ideally, yes...it was perhaps not the wisest of words...but I don't see any issue with it.
Bearing in mind, every single case is always heard at a magistrate's court first, from rape to murder they see everything.
All cases start in mag's, then go to CC or other CC or higher if need be.

Not so, and I spend a lot of time in Court....

[david_omega]

whats wrong with this country!  they are scum, good enough description.
he made a valid observation.

better than calling them a pair of C**ts - which is truly what they are for what they have done

[Vamps]

In Blackburn Cathedral, two teenagers scribbled racist and sexually-abusive graffiti in prayer books, and bent a priceless John The Baptist cross out of shape, causing £3,000 damage.

The two white vandals were caught after writing their own names in the visitors’ book, Blackburn Magistrates’ Court heard. The insults included: “I will kill all Jews” and lurid comments about “the vicar”.

With me so far?

The magistrate sentenced Boy A to an 18-month supervision order and a £1,500 fine and Boy B to a year’s supervision order and £100 fine. As he did so he remarked: “This court is disgusted by the mindless destruction you have caused. Normal people would consider you absolute scum.”

That seems like reasonable observation to me.

But


...the court clerk challenged Mr Molloy in open court, saying he had used "inappropriate language".

She then encouraged one of the boys mothers to go ahead with her plans to make an official complaint.

The magistrate has now been suspended.

From various sources, including:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/7733002/Magistrate-who-called-vandals-scum-relieved-of-his-duties.html

What a country we have become.

I see nothing wrong with such a generalisation, and I expect jo public would agree....

[Nickbat]

I'm currently in the process of applying to become a magistrate, and will be attending some further interviews shortly.
I would happily call anyone scum who did that, and not hesitate in the least. Ideally, yes...it was perhaps not the wisest of words...but I don't see any issue with it.
Bearing in mind, every single case is always heard at a magistrate's court first, from rape to murder they see everything.
All cases start in mag's, then go to CC or other CC or higher if need be.

Then you won't last as a magistrate long, it would appear...

Nevertheless, good luck. Somehow, we - as a society - must rid ourselves of this PC nonsense and start instilling old-fashioned social values amongst our young, without fear of retribution.

Again, good luck!  I think you may need it. 

[CaptainZok]

I'm currently in the process of applying to become a magistrate, and will be attending some further interviews shortly.
I would happily call anyone scum who did that, and not hesitate in the least. Ideally, yes...it was perhaps not the wisest of words...but I don't see any issue with it.
Bearing in mind, every single case is always heard at a magistrate's court first, from rape to murder they see everything.
All cases start in mag's, then go to CC or other CC or higher if need be.

Not so, and I spend a lot of time in Court....

Stop getting caught then.
Seemples.

[JamesV6CDX]

What are your views on this....

This is something someone I know, remarked on the situation:

The obvious implication here is that these teenagers could have been subject to an unfair trial due to some personal bias held by the Magistrate(s).

As reprehensible as their behaviour might have been, they are still entitled to a fair trial and a punishment that fits the crime. The further comments made along the lines of 'If it was in our power...' support my view on the matter because it's suggesting that the Magistrate could not take an objective view of the case.

[Nickbat]

What are your views on this....

This is something someone I know, remarked on the situation:

The obvious implication here is that these teenagers could have been subject to an unfair trial due to some personal bias held by the Magistrate(s).

As reprehensible as their behaviour might have been, they are still entitled to a fair trial and a punishment that fits the crime. The further comments made along the lines of 'If it was in our power...' support my view on the matter because it's suggesting that the Magistrate could not take an objective view of the case.

James,

Not sure what your point is. If these two did what was alleged, normal people would indeed consider them as "scum".

 :-/

[joshwyatt]

I'm currently in the process of applying to become a magistrate, and will be attending some further interviews shortly.
I would happily call anyone scum who did that, and not hesitate in the least. Ideally, yes...it was perhaps not the wisest of words...but I don't see any issue with it.
Bearing in mind, every single case is always heard at a magistrate's court first, from rape to murder they see everything.
All cases start in mag's, then go to CC or other CC or higher if need be.

Not so, and I spend a lot of time in Court....

All criminal cases start in a magistrates' court or youth court. The vast majority will remain there, providing the offence is not considered so serious that only a crown court can deal with it. ...taken from http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/faqs/faqs_magistrates.htm

But you are right Vamps, there are certain exceptions, but as a whole 97% start in the Mags.

[JamesV6CDX]

What are your views on this....

This is something someone I know, remarked on the situation:

The obvious implication here is that these teenagers could have been subject to an unfair trial due to some personal bias held by the Magistrate(s).

As reprehensible as their behaviour might have been, they are still entitled to a fair trial and a punishment that fits the crime. The further comments made along the lines of 'If it was in our power...' support my view on the matter because it's suggesting that the Magistrate could not take an objective view of the case.

James,

Not sure what your point is. If these two did what was alleged, normal people would indeed consider them as "scum".

 :-/

Nick,

I didn't make any point.

If you re-read my post, I was quoting something from someone else, and asking what peoples views on it were.

[Darth Loo-knee]

Scum??? it washes in onto Blackpool beach doesn't it?
well you perhaps don't know if you've never been for a paddle

[joshwyatt]

James is right.
However, I along with others would feel the 'scum' comment fine, but in an official capacity it is not reasonable to make that observation.
However, technically it was not and should have not been said, mags are not normal people...they must be objective and refrain from making these comments.

[JamesV6CDX]

James is right.

Again though Josh, I can't be right or wrong, as I didn't offer an opinion, and wasn't making any point.

I simply quoted something someone else had said, and asked what peoples views were on it 

[Nickbat]

What are your views on this....

This is something someone I know, remarked on the situation:

The obvious implication here is that these teenagers could have been subject to an unfair trial due to some personal bias held by the Magistrate(s).

As reprehensible as their behaviour might have been, they are still entitled to a fair trial and a punishment that fits the crime. The further comments made along the lines of 'If it was in our power...' support my view on the matter because it's suggesting that the Magistrate could not take an objective view of the case.

James,

Not sure what your point is. If these two did what was alleged, normal people would indeed consider them as "scum".

 :-/

Nick,

I didn't make any point.

If you re-read my post, I was quoting something from someone else, and asking what peoples views on it were.

Apologies, James. Misunderstood.