Guest Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 2 hours ago, Adam said: I am quite shocked that she received a prison sentence. Obviously the defence notes in view of sentencing are meant to make you feel for the defendant, but to have suffered a miscarriage this week, be a mother to an 18 month old child, and then by being sent to prison resulting in potential job losses for her partner in order to look after the child, I wonder if the judge could have considered some other punitive method. Seriously ?? She embezzled / stole money from the very people who she was there to represent , while in a position of power and trust, not for any reason other than sheer greed and to pamper herself. This a couple who earned in excess of £100k between them, yet they still felt the need to screw over the most vulnerable in our society. She is despicable. Personally I would have her burned at the stake.............. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandyCromarty Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, Adam said: I am quite shocked that she received a prison sentence. Obviously the defence notes in view of sentencing are meant to make you feel for the defendant, but to have suffered a miscarriage this week, be a mother to an 18 month old child, and then by being sent to prison resulting in potential job losses for her partner in order to look after the child, I wonder if the judge could have considered some other punitive method. MP'S have been jailed in the past for fiddling expenses, and that is the crux of the matter in her case, if she had been an accountant she would have probably got a suspended sentence, a heavy fine and some hours of community service, but as she was in a position as an MP representing her constituency involving voting on bills which become law, and the judges summing up does refer to her position, then her dishonesty and fraudulent behaviour indicated that she did not responsibly regard the trust her position gave her. As it is she will be out in 6-8 months but her life and reputation is in ruins. Edited June 6, 2019 by SandyCromarty 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ICTChris Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 1 hour ago, WATTOO said: Personally I would have her burned at the stake.............. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 52 minutes ago, SandyCromarty said: MP'S have been jailed in the past for fiddling expenses, and that is the crux of the matter in her case, if she had been an accountant she would have probably got a suspended sentence, a heavy fine and some hours of community service, but as she was in a position as an MP representing her constituency involving voting on bills which become law, and the judges summing up does refer to her position, then her dishonesty and fraudulent behaviour indicated that she did not responsibly regard the trust her position gave her. As it is she will be out in 6-8 months but her life and reputation is in ruins. As it should be. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrewDon Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 WfI's statement is good and correct about the need for more alternatives to custodial sentences, especially for non-violent offences - a revitalised conversation about sentencing policy in this country could be one positive to come from this, but sadly feels unlikely. I'm struggling to see who benefits from this outcome at all - a very sad case all round. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flybhoy Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 It would be extremely cynical but probably accurate to say she planned to get pregnant hoping that would be the factor that kept her out of jail. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayrmad Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 6 minutes ago, MixuFixit said: Imagine if she hadn't miscarried and her kid had to go about the place knowing they were conceived to get their mum out of a tight spot The kid certainly wouldn't be getting out of a tight spot. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ICTChris Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 A lawyer I follow on Twitter postedNo remorse on her part. Conduct over a lengthy period. Embezzlement taking place while she was an MP (for six months during that time). Multiple instances. It is a calculated crime where a deterrent effect makes sense in sentencing.This was not a spur of the moment thing. Embezzlement is not, despite what some say, a victimless crime. The embezzlement sustained her and her husband's lifestyle.A custodial sentence is no surprise.Length of time it was done, public office, more than one office, worked way into offices to do it, no remorse, no admission of guilt or remorse in social inquiry reports, delays to process etc.I think it is high, but custodial is not a surprise. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverton End Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 15 minutes ago, ICTChris said: A lawyer I follow on Twitter posted No remorse on her part. Conduct over a lengthy period. Embezzlement taking place while she was an MP (for six months during that time). Multiple instances. It is a calculated crime where a deterrent effect makes sense in sentencing. This was not a spur of the moment thing. Embezzlement is not, despite what some say, a victimless crime. The embezzlement sustained her and her husband's lifestyle. A custodial sentence is no surprise. Length of time it was done, public office, more than one office, worked way into offices to do it, no remorse, no admission of guilt or remorse in social inquiry reports, delays to process etc. I think it is high, but custodial is not a surprise. Diddled a foodbank out of funds Should have had double the sentence 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 19 minutes ago, ICTChris said: A lawyer I follow on Twitter posted No remorse on her part. Conduct over a lengthy period. Embezzlement taking place while she was an MP (for six months during that time). Multiple instances. It is a calculated crime where a deterrent effect makes sense in sentencing. This was not a spur of the moment thing. Embezzlement is not, despite what some say, a victimless crime. The embezzlement sustained her and her husband's lifestyle. A custodial sentence is no surprise. Length of time it was done, public office, more than one office, worked way into offices to do it, no remorse, no admission of guilt or remorse in social inquiry reports, delays to process etc. I think it is high, but custodial is not a surprise. On her side it might have started off as careless, then thinking "Fuckit, let's go on holiday and sort it out when we get back." then it got to a point where she didn't know how to make it right without getting found out. If so she could have confessed as soon as the cops got involved and she probably wouldn't have done any time. It was the refusal to admit that she'd done anything wrong that did for her, rightly imo, especially with the duties and rewards of an MP. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scary Bear Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 She'll appeal the length of sentence - could be out in 6 months if she does. It is a more severe sentence because of her role. And MSPs get a sufficiently civilised wedge that anyone misappropriating £25k will be frowned upon. She should have just fiddled her expenses like a normal MP. Daft cow. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Henry Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 She should have just fiddled her expenses like a normal MP. Daft cow.I’d be very surprised if she didn’t do that too. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz FFC Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 5 hours ago, WATTOO said: Seriously ?? She embezzled / stole money from the very people who she was there to represent , while in a position of power and trust, not for any reason other than sheer greed and to pamper herself. This a couple who earned in excess of £100k between them, yet they still felt the need to screw over the most vulnerable in our society. She is despicable. Personally I would have her burned at the stake.............. I very much doubt I'm telling anyone anything new but in my near 40 years experience of life I've learnt that the more cash folk have the more tight and greedy they are. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen Archer (Raconteur) Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 Jail will be the making of the wee boot. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 I understand it's a shame for her kid and all that but she deserves to go to jail. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuro Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 Serves her right for marrying a Tory. -1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
List_of_Jericho Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 Surely the fact that she tried to change her guilty plea to not guilty wouldn't have helped her case either. I wonder if the people thinking its "harsh" would have thought the same had it been her Tory husband in the dock? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Grimes Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 (edited) 13 hours ago, Darren said: I understand it's a shame for her kid and all that but she deserves to go to jail. Don’t quite buy into this viewpoint The child can be looked after its Dad plus additional family members I can understand Judges taking personal circumstances into account if the child would be taken into care etc but this clearly isn’t the case here She committed a serious, despicable crime She needs to fucking lump it ETA: we’re not miles apart on a point here Edited June 7, 2019 by Frank Grimes 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granny Danger Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 I either didn’t know or had forgotten that her husband is a Tory. Surely that justifies doubling her sentence. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tirso Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 astounded the husband isn't under more scrutiny. Is he still an elected Councillor? no way he didn't know. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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