Anzac Day terror plot: Blackburn boy sentenced to life

[citizenB]

A 15-year-old British boy who plotted to behead police officers at an Anzac Day parade in Australia has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

 

The Blackburn teenager will serve at least five years for inciting terrorism and will only be released once he is no longer considered to be dangerous.

 

He sent thousands of online messages to an alleged Australian jihadist and was planning "a massacre", the court heard.

 

He is believed to be the youngest Briton guilty of a terror offence.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34423984

 

 

Sentenced to life .... will serve at least 5 years ?

 

Did I miss something? Surely life means that.. life ?

[Guest]

Surely life means that.. life ?

 

nope. it usually means at most the term specified, and then usually only around half that..

[unclebulgaria67]

nope. it usually means at most the term specified, and then usually only around half that..

 

More complicated than that. It is a life tarriff against a juvenile. They have been given a minimum 5 years sentence, but it says they may not be released, if they are still considered dangerous.

 

There was some court case about whole life tarriffs, so they now have to state a minimum. There will then have to be yearly assessments after the 5 years.

[Guest]

More complicated than that. ..

 

not really. but yes, my post was 'vague'.

and i did say 'usually'.

but, they are usually out (on licence) sooner rather than later.

[unclebulgaria67]

not really. but yes, my post was 'vague'.

and i did say 'usually'.

but, they are usually out (on licence) sooner rather than later.

 

I think they stopped reductions in life sentences. The minimum, they have to serve, then they must be assessed as to whether they can be released.

[Guest]

I think they stopped reductions in life sentences. The minimum, they have to serve, then they must be assessed as to whether they can be released.

 

yes, a minimum. being on licence can be part of that sentence upon assessment. depends on the circumstances, hence the 'usually'.

[Conniff]

And what's all this rubbish about can't name them, they named Bulgers murders - Robert Thompson and Jon Venables and they were only 10.

 

So not named and gets five years. You get more than that for urinating in a shop doorway. Our justice really is stupid and not with it.

[BazzaS]

And what's all this rubbish about can't name them, they named Bulgers murders - Robert Thompson and Jon Venables and they were only 10.

 

So not named and gets five years. You get more than that for urinating in a shop doorway. Our justice really is stupid and not with it.

 

Not named unless the judge allows them to be named (where it is felt in the public interest to do so).

 

Hasn't got 5 years. Has got life (but as a juvenile) with a 5 year minimum.

 

So, if as he matures (since he should know right from wrong but "isn't fully cooked yet") : at 20, if he is still a danger : he can be kept imprisoned.

 

If, at 20, he shows he isn't a risk anymore, which would you prefer : that he is kept imprisoned? Released (and potentially useful to prevent other youngsters going down the same path)?

 

Hang 'em / birch 'em and lock 'em up (with the ceremonial throwing away of the key) appeals to the Daily Mail reader no doubt.

I accept that there must be a degree of punishment.

I think sentencing should involve a component of deterrence : but is this really a deterrence to those radicalised? Or are there better ways to prevent radicalisation??

 

For a 15 year old : what is the balance between punishment, deterrence and treatment / rehabilitation?

[Surfer01]

The shooter at the school in Oregon was born in Britain. Are we now producing some weirdos?

[citizenB]

I think the not naming the lad was a good move, it stops the terrorist group he was part of using him as a martyr.

[obiter dictum]

As far as i am aware this kid from Blackburn was instrumental in radacalising this Australian man to commit murder.

 

He was radacalised on line by propaganda videos and his own fantasies . He is 15 years of age and still a child

 

He acted alone and not part of any wider terrorist cell with his own radacalisation

[unclebulgaria67]

The shooter at the school in Oregon was born in Britain. Are we now producing some weirdos?

 

We always have done. Humans are killing machines pre programmed to kill if they get into circumstances where they believe it is required. Most animal species will kill for a number of reasons.

 

If the UK had the same amount of guns in circulation as the US, you would see mass killing events now and again.

 

If you want to reduce the risk, takes as many guns out of circulation as you can. Bring in better controls in regard to sales, carrying concealed weapons in public, better reporting of people who are of concern and regular inspections by Police of homes where guns are registered.

[BazzaS]

Bring in better controls in regard to .... carrying concealed weapons in public.

 

Like S19 Firearms Act 1968?

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/section/19

[obiter dictum]

Human beings are the only animals on the planet that war on their own kind

[BazzaS]

Human beings are the only animals on the planet that war on their own kind

 

The only species ..... Apart from the other species!

 

https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22229682-600-only-known-chimp-war-reveals-how-societies-splinter/

[SabreSheep]

And what's all this rubbish about can't name them, they named Bulgers murders - Robert Thompson and Jon Venables and they were only 10.

 

So not named and gets five years. You get more than that for urinating in a shop doorway. Our justice really is stupid and not with it.

 

And how many millions have snice been spent on secret identities for this pair.