Crime and Punishment

The court does not tolerate violence against anyone

thundered Judge Nicholas Price QC as he gave an immediate custodial sentence to a student who confessed to throwing two placard sticks at police during anti-cuts demonstrations in March.

The Judge sent the student down for a year.

The courts have an altogether more relaxed and indulgent attitude towards wilful acts of aggression when the  police officer is riding a bicycle and the defendant is a motorist:

Burnley Crown Court heard how Harrison had made nine attempts to run Detective Inspector Melvin off the road, trying to hit him on the pavement and making contact with his handlebars and causing him to veer into trees, with the result he came off his bike. He also threw coins and stones at his victim.