Recently there has been a thread here in the backroom where members were debating on the validity of trial by jury and the possibility of more cases being decided by the judges. Now we see several cases where judges have lost any sense of justice whatsoever.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...re/4221728.stm
For those who have not read the link, a 71 year old vicar has been imprisoned for 28 for refusing to pay a council tax bill of 61 pounds, which had been put up above the rate of inflation and which represents over a tenth of his monthly income. Not only is the Reverend Alfred Ridley imprisoned, he is ent ot a category A prison, one usually reserved for murderers, gangster and terrorists. He now has to share his cell with a brutal thug. The stupidity of this conviction is further demonstrated when the costs of imprisoning the Vicar is 3000 pounds.

Now the Sentencing Guidelines Council has recommended that murderers be set free after a ten zear sentence, often being let go if their behaviour is good. Under 17 vandalism is be treated as "low seriousness" and should be handed the ridiculously ineffective Anti-Social Behaviour orders. They also recommend that parents who use smacking as a regular form of discipline be treated the same way as those who nassault and abuse them. However, a notorious crack dealer has been handed another ASBO to add to her collection.
Do you really think these judges have any sense of justice?