I think the courts have taken children into consideration for years when determining sentencing.

I don't know anything about this actual case so I won't comment further

Me either Veggie, but I'm sorry, who thinks of the victims rights? 

Well he clearly wasn't thinking of his children when he committed the crime was he?

Well it feels like no one at times Sprout.

I would say (again knowing nowt of this case) that if you have kids that are dependent on you then don't do stuff which might result in you going to jail.

Simples innit?

Snap Miss S xx

In a nutshell 

Of course, but I spose they're not thinking like that when they commit the crime 

Not trying to be contentious but ........maybe that's exactly what he was thinking about. For whatever reason he may not have had money for food, clothes, shelter etc and that's why he was breaking the law. Don't know the in and outs of it but TBH ...............it's rather simplistic and presumptious to say that he wasn't thinking of his children.

Well there is always the Social Work Department .....

There are other ways of providing/gaining though, surely, Soozy  

Just what I was about to say Sproooooot.

Where are/is the mother/mothers?....

Zackly Stonks! this is gonna create a pressident (sp) isn't it? 

Could be deceased stonks?

Of course there are - I'm supposing he thought he wouldn't get caught  Who knows how desperate he was? I'm not condoning breaking the law ............just saying it's wrong IMO to assume that he didn't care for his children.

I'm not saying he didn't care for his children.......but why not do what most of us do and obey the law? Same goes for the other toe rags out there 

Re read the post as that is not what I said. 

A good idea, have 5 kids, realise they cost money, steal from other peoples houses , and ask to be let off because you have to look after them   Next time i am skint, i think i will just help myself from Tescos, and explain i have kids to feed, i am sure they will let me off

Obviously worth a try, isn't it?       

Bishop himself boasted of how he had managed to
make a mockery of justice

It's this bit that gets me

He'd stolen some chocolate and the police over reacted. I feel in this case it might be fair to take the children into concideration. He's not thought of as a criminal, but rather an opportunist. If he really looks after his 5 children without a mother in the house, I say, all the elbow to him and, maybe, this verdict has made him think that help is available and he doesn't have to turn to petty crime.

O/T Missy, I love that sunset.

Thanks 

It's still wrong though Col, and we, the public, pay for it in the end 

He is a burglar and convicted with dangerous driving. Its all good looking after 5 kids, whether a mother or father, alone. But you dont have to rob other folks houses....x

I probably don't know enough about it Skylark, but according to 5live news, he is a petty criminal. On this occasion he nicked some chocolate from a corner shop and went on the run in his car. Rather than run into the police car, he clipped it because they cornered him. I know he probably isn't the most desirable human being doing his best for the country, but the judge must have seen something to let him go home. He is tagged (as far as I understand )

Read the link above, Cologne xx

The link says he is the sole career for 5 days a week and the mother has them at weekends so why not give the kids to mum 7 days a week him getting out is not right

So he can afford too run a car

"He and three other men raided Mansfield Rugby Club, taking  only some chocolate, before he and one of his accomplices drove off  in a van.

Bishop clipped a police vehicle and drove through red lights before he drove up a dead-end street and was arrested."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new...d.html#ixzz1NhLRtj6M

I'd let him have a suspended and ban him from chocolate.

Not a hanging offence, IMO.