We have previously discussed the lower criminal sentences handed down in England in comparison to the United States. Some such cases truly shock the conscience as in the case of Jordan Sheard (left). Sheard had long bullied Steven Simpson (right) for being gay as well as for his speech impairment and epilepsy. Sheard got Simpson to strip to his underwear and wrote gay slurs over his body which was covered with tanning oil. He then lit him on fire at his birthday party.
Sheard fled as a neighbor tried to put out the flames. However, Simpson was burned over 50 percent of his body and later died. A paramedic reported that Steven had lipstick all over Steven’s face — with the words “gay boy” on his head. Sheard insisted that they were just fooling around and pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He was jailed for 3½ years yesterday at Sheffield Crown Court — but will be released on after just serving half of that time.
Source: Sun
Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Mikado” sings praises to make “the punishment fit the crime.” That was England then, this is England now. English Justice jailed and caused the death of Oscar Wilde for “The love that dared not speak its name.” English Justice of today gives a sentence of 1-1/2 years sentence for immolation murder most foul of a gay youth. Tell me that burning a person to death deserves a slight tap on the wrist? Tell me that the land of the Magna Carta of citizen’s rights has degenerated into the land of the atrocious tyranny? The land of England, My England… you are an effront to justice!!!!
Here’s an article that has some court and defense statements.
Caution it gets no better.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/barnsley-teen-burned-to-death-on-his-18th-birthday-1-5521116
It’s a good thing we won the war between America and the English.
Big national bullies that do it to small indefensible nations have cognitive offspring.
Bad brains “beget” bad brains.
Mike Jarvis said, “But this sounds less bullying and more homoerotic sadomasochistic play gone wrong.” That comment, even in jest, reeks of blaming the victim and excusing or, at least, justifying what the perpetrator did. Sheard “had long bullied Steven Simpson for being gay as well as for his speech impairment and epilepsy.” this was a vicious hate crime and not just “fooling around.”
They used to hang people for murder. The pendulum has swung to the other extreme.
“a prank is putting Saran Wrap over the toilet bowl, not setting someone of fire. This is a grave injustice.” -Gene H.
Agreed.
Clockwork Orangish.
This comment thread sets a new low for stupid comments not over run by the stupid dogs. The general level of smug stupidity is not even worth trying to refute
The suspect could have been been put away for murder in WA due to the felony murder involved in the malicious harassment of the victim.
Malicious harassment is a felony here, http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.36.080 and in the furtherence of this crime, the victim died.
It could be argued possibly it could be a first degree murder due to arson being involved but that might be a stretch.
Certainly sentencing enhancements would have also kicked in against the defendant due to disability of the victim, and the hate crime involved.
As for jolly old England, It’s still a mystery to my why they are so wimpy on prison terms for murderers.
Hey: Piers Morgan: You stupid Limey who day after day, sorry, night after night, give this rant about guns in America. If gay guy was a gun guy then bully guy would be walking with a gimp or dead as an English pimp and the short stay in jail would be news for those in Liverpool living off booze. And that accent that you accenuate on our television Piers. Go back to Liverpool.
Ah Ralph, how is blind ignorance going for you?
Glad to see Turley getting more page views, but the more popular you get the lower the IQ of the average visitor the long-time readers have to put up with.
The comments after the Article in the link to the sun are spot on.
Did the Judge ever come out and justify his decision?
Are Judges elected to office in England?
What is the penalty for throwing eggs at a judges house in England?.
The sentence is absurd. But this sounds less bullying and more homoerotic sadomasochistic play gone wrong.
This is a classic example of leftist justice. And had Sheard been a Muslim, he would have been given probation.
Disgusting result and sentence. This man should be in jail for many more years.
Read Theodore Dalrymple; he tells of Britain’s social and moral decline – the result of 70 years of state guidance.
The sentence does most certainly not match the crime. Sheard is 20, an adult. And a prank is putting Saran Wrap over the toilet bowl, not setting someone of fire. This is a grave injustice.
I would never, ever live in the UK. Not only are sentences for the convicted light, but UK subjects (I will not refer to them as citizens) have no functional right of self-defense.
Sick, sick, sick I say….