Back again,
I think almost everyone is in agreement the the police officer was legally wrong in his actions and the Court got it right. The definition of 'wrong' may be the stumbling point. There is a more moral issue to this than a legal one, hence the number of posts.
On the wider issue, had the Police officer not assaulted the man and had dealt with him by way of report what would be the outcome? Adult Caution?
Penalties do not often meet what the public expectations are, as can be seen by recent cases where sentences were appealed to the Attorney General to be increased (Stuart Hall being a high profile recent case). Police officers would be aware of the possible penalties and know that the punishment may not fit the crime in many cases but this would be the downfall in society and not the previous post in relation to society.
That is my current stand,
Richard
I think almost everyone is in agreement the the police officer was legally wrong in his actions and the Court got it right. The definition of 'wrong' may be the stumbling point. There is a more moral issue to this than a legal one, hence the number of posts.
On the wider issue, had the Police officer not assaulted the man and had dealt with him by way of report what would be the outcome? Adult Caution?
Penalties do not often meet what the public expectations are, as can be seen by recent cases where sentences were appealed to the Attorney General to be increased (Stuart Hall being a high profile recent case). Police officers would be aware of the possible penalties and know that the punishment may not fit the crime in many cases but this would be the downfall in society and not the previous post in relation to society.
That is my current stand,
Richard
