Blind justice

While pulling out an old newspaper to guard against paint falling on the floor, I noticed an article about a man who had lost sight in one eye. He had been attacked by a gang of youths. One of the youths was arrested with perseverence the victim went to court to help the police get a conviction. However, the judge did not convict because he could not be sure the accused was actually the one who had thrown a bottle at the victim. So the accused was let free. There were about 20 youths in this gang. Then I decided to do a search on the internet about men being blinded by bottle attacks. Unfortunately it is not a rare thing. However there are some common factors.

Usually it is a bottle of some kind which is thrown although on occaision it will be a glass, perhaps one used to drink out of. Further the attack is focused from a group. Whether a gang or a gathering. A gathering is not the same as a gang, a gathering being any group of people who congregate together, whereas a gang is a group who have some kind of allegiance with each other. Another identifying factor though not always is, alcohol has been consumed. Alcohol being a substance which usually lowers inhibitions, however lets add in the group element because in groups there is a group mind set. Psychological studies have proven this (see Le Bon's book called The Crowd). Also people in a crowd like to be the centre of attention so by being roudy or 'having a laugh'. Rational thought at this point goes out of the window and the lowering of I.Q. comes in, with a Group Mindset. The victim will be an innocent bystander or individual who decides to take some form of action the group does not like. Such as remonstrating with them, this happened in one article I read where the victim's car was having snow balls thrown at it. In another case it was a bystander witnessing another victim being beaten up by five youths. The victims in all cases may be trying to be outspoken, but any outspoken action is seen to the group as a policing action. One which is meant to bring them back into civility and they do not want to hear it. As a group, these persons lose their individuality to the extent there is no limitation, or should I say no conscience of when to stop.

For justice to be done, every individual who is in the group be this gang or gathering should be identified as liable for violent behaviour, even if they did not take part in the actual event. This is because when someone is in a group the very nature of being there and being a witness makes them part. If they do nothing they are condoning the actions. Some individuals would have also jeered or be vocally abusive, they to are equally liable to the results of any violence. So for real justice, each and every member where known should then be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It is not an excuse to say they did not throw the bottle or take part in the fight, if they are there, they are liable.

Alternatively, I hear in Iran there have been cases where people are blinded in violent actions and the courts then come down on the attacker. The punishment usually is along the lines of an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If an attacker is sentenced and found guilty their eye or eyes could be surgically removed. Although Human Rights campaigners have been active in these instances, you can't help asking whether this form of law has a bit more substance in it than justice which is not done in this country.

Justice is sadly done

The tragic and callous murder of a teenager has now been vindicated in the courts. Shakilus Townsend was murdered in a honey trap, set up by a girl (Samantha Joseph) who he as in love with, but didn't love him. The primary killer was her boyfriend Danny McLean, but Danny didn't do the deed on his own he used his gang. They trapped Shakilus in a warfare maneuver, using bicycles on an estate to chase him down. Shakilus died, sobbing and saying he didn't want to die and he wanted his mommy. There have been 6 convictions and each has received a life sentence, including Samantha Joseph. It would be one sided to paint Shakilus as innocent to knife crime, when he had himself been involved in knives, gangs and assault. This is yet another regretful case of stupidity ruling over common sense.

There is something so sad about teenagers who are throwing away their lives and not understanding the value of life when they carry a knife around. When they say it is for protection, when being a member of a gang and acting like a sheep is cool, they are misguided. It is like they can not see the future, they can not see their teenage years will come to an end and they will grow up and have children themselves. There is blindness. It is only the now which exists, only their need to find respect amongst other teenagers who change their view of the world in more times than a vacilating rodent seeking a food reward from solving a maze. Perhaps it's because they do not have adult guidance, where families are close, uncles, aunts, grandads and nans are there to watch over them. Perhaps it is society as a whole and the poor governance or design of estates. Or maybe it's music which intones hate and glorifies in blood. Even movies may play a part because they set out a fantasy world of reward and violence which makes being bad seem good. There is no single answer to any teenagers death when they have only just began their life, and for now, only proper and true justice plays a balancing hand.

In this case Judge Richard Hawkins has given the appropriate sentence. Maybe it will have a deterent effect on other teenagers out there, unfortunately, one thing teenagers don't like to listen to is the news. So they are likely to carry on in ignorance, worse still the lowest basest ignorance if they just believe a soldier has died.

As a person I know has said to me, "if they think they are soldiers, put them all in a container lorry and ship them to Iraq" drop them off and let them find out what war really is.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1198346/Honey-trap-girl-faces-life-sentence-luring-smitten-teenager-death-hands-love-rival.html?ITO=1490