NEWS LINK TIME!
This ones good news for Chompy.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13436429
(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:05, 121 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Darth should get to rape them back as a punishment
Did you see the piece this week about the man in Iran who threw acid in the face of a woman, who wouldn't accept his marriage proposal, blinding her? His punishment is to have acid thrown into his face.

I have to say for such a wilfully spiteful crime the punishment feels just.
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:10, Reply)

Errrrr, no it doesn't
He should go to prison for a long time, he's clearly a fuck up. But the actual punishment was for him to be strapped down while his victim drips the acid directly into his eyes. Which is typically barbaric of the Iranians. And yes, I'm dismissing an entire country as being barbaric. So are the Saudis.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:13, Reply)

They are all a bit mental round "that" way

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:16, Reply)

I once went to a photography exhibition of woman who had been
burned, fire or acid, and the stories behind their disfigurement. It was heartbreaking, one girl's father poured acid all over her when she was 5 to punish his wife for being in public with another man.

She had to spend her life in pain, blind, disfigured, as an outcast and emotionally ruined because the person in her life, who was supposed to protect her, no matter what, committed a horrific crime against her.

I can't say that prison feels like a strong enough punishment.
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:17, Reply)

In Jamaica women do it to each other with alarming regularity.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:17, Reply)

bitches be crazy

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:19, Reply)

This is true the world over

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:21, Reply)

BITCHEZ AIN'T $HIT

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:31, Reply)

Do you have kids Apey?
If anyone hurt my kids I'd kick the fuck out of them until my feet broke. Then I'd punch them
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:18, Reply)

I've got one on the way
and I already feel incredibly protective
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:18, Reply)

Good lad

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:18, Reply)

It's an odd sort of thing
I never had any real inclining for wanting kids now and i never understood, how people loved something that wasn't yet born and why miscarriages are so emotionally destructive. Now however my attitude has completely changed, i don't think you can properly understand until you go through it, i certainly know I couldn't.
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:21, Reply)

As an inherently selfish person I have been amazed at the strength of my feelings toward my child
I've never experienced such genuinely strong emotions ever - it's way beyond being in love with someone.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:22, Reply)

Like this big soft git says^

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:24, Reply)

Just wait until the little bugger is born.
I wasn't prepared for the shift in attitude my brain got as soon as she slithered into the world.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:37, Reply)

I know that, the inital emotional response is always going to be "give them a taste of their own medecine"
But the point is, as a society, I don't feel it's ever acceptable for the state to sanction any kind of capital punisment, be it public beatings, chopping off of hands, or the death penalty.

And I'm sure if I were in the position of being the relative of a victim I would be furious, but I would like to think that I could look at the bigger picture.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:22, Reply)

I do generally agree that capital punishment is counter productive on many levels
corporal punishment makes more sense though, a quick whipping or 6 months in jail? Saves time and money and jail cells.

The acid thing particularly irks me, because it is so hateful.
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:24, Reply)

You can't argue that it's okay to whip someone
if you also argue it's not okay to kill them. You either justify to yourself that all forms of corporal and capital punishment is acceptable, in which case you would find it very difficult not to justify the use of torture, or you argue that none of it is okay.

The big question is do you view our justice system as a way to punish people who do things wrong, or as a way to try and rehabilitate them to prevent them doing the wrong things again? Obviously there are always cases on the margins that make people scream and get the tabloids frothing, but that's why courts are supposed to be dispassionate. Hard cases do not make good laws.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:28, Reply)

The law should punish and rehabilitate

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:31, Reply)

error
the law should first be a deterrent
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:41, Reply)

i meant once you've been convicted
i think half of a person sentance should be punishment and the second half rhabilitaion and providing a proper exit stragetgy into the community
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:42, Reply)

You talk so much sense on occasion Al
I'm going to click this, in fact
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:33, Reply)

But then you're no better than the criminals you are punishing.
I see both sides of the argument but I don't think you can ever justify beating people.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:29, Reply)

it costs a lot of taxes to keep them in prison though......
..... think how many old-folks' homes or schools you could build for all the thousands of pounds a week it costs to keep a prisoner......... it's only a few quid for a syringe.....

*opens popcorn*
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:48, Reply)

It's precisely because of the fear of being caught shoplifting in one of those countries
that I've taught myself to be able to masturbate with my left hand as well
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:31, Reply)

^ THE FWAP speaks out

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:31, Reply)

*Makes wanker sign*

( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:35, Reply)

That's like a mating call to the likes of you

(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:35, Reply)

Stop harshing on me Fwapster

( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:40, Reply)

Aww, poor Rory
Must be horrible when one of your trollees stands up to you
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:41, Reply)

It's better when they agree, it confuses him

( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:45, Reply)

I might give this a go
Cheers mate. How're you keeping?
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:48, Reply)

Not too bad thanks fella, busy couple of days, quite enjoying the change
You?
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:53, Reply)

Football aside, no complaints mate
How's it going with the missus?
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:01, Reply)

He's only getting one eye done though because "A man is worth twice a women".
I think the whole thing is sickening on each and every level, from the guy who first did the crime, to the goverment who are letting her act out her natural revenge.

It's a scary planet on so many levels.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:44, Reply)

Won't do Chompy any favours at all
The sentence only gets reduced if they plead guilty, and that would mean admitting he's wrong.
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:32, Reply)

I have to say
that the idea that sentencing decisions are or may be influenced by the amount of prison cell vacancies does not sit well with me at all.

I'll bet the overcrowding issue is a factor in these reduced jail time propositions.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:37, Reply)

I agree entirely
Punishment should not be commuted to an alternative sentence because of economic constraints.
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:40, Reply)

having heard how the CPS works these days
sentencing is the least of our worries.

I think Judge Dredd style law enforcement is the way forward
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:40, Reply)

What do you mean re CPS?

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:42, Reply)

it is under-staffed
mostly by idiots. horribly bureaucratic, and the long serving members, like my dad, who are actually very good at it, and knew a lot of law and such are treated so shit that they have to take early retirement through stress.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:49, Reply)

This is a good idea

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:42, Reply)

Only as long as he doesn't take his helmet off
Deportation backfired pretty spectacularly; it resulted in the subjguation of an indigenous people, Ricky Ponting and some terrible, terrible films.
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:44, Reply)

That was on last night
What a terrible terrible film.

I love it.
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:45, Reply)

It is my secret shame too
I quite like the film
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:49, Reply)

*raises hand sheepishly*
Me too. Ms Foxtrot bloody loves it.

They're making another one, with Karl Urban as Dredd. If he takes his helmet off once, I call bullshit.
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:52, Reply)

Karl Urban will be superb for that, I think

( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:53, Reply)

He's generally very good value in any action film
With the exception of Doom, a film so bad that not even The Rock could save it
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:56, Reply)

He was very good in Star Trek

( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:58, Reply)

I agree
When they announced the casting I thought it was a terrible decision but he turned out to be one of the more spot on ones.
( Bill Clay a.k.a. Claudio, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:59, Reply)

My sentiments exactly
He was perfect for the character, totally confounding my expectations
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:00, Reply)

Yep
The fact that more scum now live in Britain than ever before should not mean reduced jail time for the little cunts. How about stopping buying them flat screen TVs, Playstations, etc? This would save a lot of money. I'm all for building more prisons
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:42, Reply)

I think we should stop feeding them as well.

(PsychoChomp, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:43, Reply)

Good plan
Did you see Strangeways during the week? That fat fucker who shit himself and refused to walk? Cattle prods FTW
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:44, Reply)

One thing I cannot believe we don't do is make prisoners work when they're inside.
I cannot see a downside to their paying off some of their incarceration bill through work - and at the same time helping their self-esteem/value through productive activity.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:44, Reply)

Yep

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:46, Reply)

I think it should be like a boot camp
up at dawn, run and excercise, breakfast, studying, cleaning, menial work, shower rape and to bed at dusk.

No TVs, no luxuries, no vote.
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:46, Reply)

shower rape is a luxury for some

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:47, Reply)

HMP Norwich lols

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:48, Reply)

Haha

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:52, Reply)

That'll only increase the conviction rate
If shower rape becomes a statutory right of every inmate they'll have to incarcerate a sibling with every successful prosecution.
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:55, Reply)

Turnip stealing convictions in East Anglia have increased 850%

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:56, Reply)

Someone I know went away for manslaughter
and he told me it was 'fookin' brilliant' in Strangeways - 'it's being on the dole but you don't have to get up to sign on'. They made booze out of jam and every Friday night they all took Es and listened to pirate radio.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:57, Reply)

....and this is why we need more prisons for fucking idiots like that

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:58, Reply)

And for the prison experience to not be so fucking pleasant.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:00, Reply)

jam beer sounds quite nice though, eh?

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:05, Reply)

Jamstel?
sorry
( Bill Clay a.k.a. Claudio, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:09, Reply)

click

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:16, Reply)

The american system has basically become a modern form of slavery.
And there have been arguments made that some states "tough on crime" laws have been heavily influenced by the people who directly benifit from a large prison population.
That's why you can get 15 years for possesion.
(PsychoChomp, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:47, Reply)

you do serious time for possession
because america (well, some states) have a seriously fucked up attitude to drugs.

There are at least 3 or 4 states where the average 3rd strike jail sentence for dope possession is higher than the average for rape or murder.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:52, Reply)

Although I kindda agree, there is quite a lot to consider; do they pay tax on the work? do they get any sort of profit for their work?
Will there be a backlash from consumers of the company involved in regards to using a company that'll essenchally employ a criminal who still hasn't finished paying for his crimes?
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:47, Reply)

This implies that companies have a conscience
If they thought they could get cheap labour they would jump at the chance. No tax to pay
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:48, Reply)

A lot of companies have consciences, esspecially if it could potentially harm their profits.

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:50, Reply)

ONLY if it could harm their profits

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:51, Reply)

No, that's not true, companies are owned by such a varied array of people that you can't generalise like that.

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:54, Reply)

I mean the kind of companies that would employ prisoners

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:57, Reply)

they could make stuff for teh government
like pot hole fillers
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:49, Reply)

We could just grind them up to fill the pot-holes
Two birds with one guilty stone
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:50, Reply)

If they stopped locking people up for minor drug offences
there might be more room.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:46, Reply)

"they" almost never lock anyone up in the UK for minor drugs offences.
Although it does depend what you mean by "minor"
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:50, Reply)

20 keys of neat coke in a van minor

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:51, Reply)

ah, there's your error.
see, a van means you intend to distribute. You want it in the glove box of your Fiesta.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:53, Reply)

I was not aware they had such large glove boxes

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:55, Reply)

...and that's why you'll never be a top-level nosebag smuggler

( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:59, Reply)

No, it's a massively misguided attempt to increase the rape conviction rate.
If you don't go to trial and don't break down every single microcosm of the victim's life until they crack, you probably convict more rapists. Apparently more rapists in for a shorter time is better.

The problem is the court conviction rate for rape is already very high. It's the rate for getting to court that is the problem
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:47, Reply)

This looks a bit like my verifocal prescription car windscreens idea where everyone declares it a stupid and unworkable sollution, including the person who came up with the idea in the first place.
Maybe, with all crimes, they should add 25% to any sentance where you don't admit guilt?
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:39, Reply)

That's basically the same idea isn't it?

(PsychoChomp, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:41, Reply)

No, it isn't. They're saying half the sentance for those who admit the rape.... thus reducing the time.
I'm saying add 25% for those who don't admit it (or any other crime)... thus increasing the time.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:45, Reply)

But you either plead guilty (50% off) or not guilty (25% on)
Therefore the default sentence should be 25% more
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:47, Reply)

I'm saying no to the 50% off thing because then the sentance for rape would be so low in comparison the damage it can do to someone.

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:49, Reply)

Rape should equal life in jail

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:50, Reply)

I think convicts should have the chance to gamble their sentence.
Put them in a room with, say 5 people, all of them - bar one - have some god-awful STI. The rapist then has to fuck one of them bareback for a month.

If they don't get ill, they get to do half their sentence. But here is the twist. They don't find out if they are ill until they are due to have their parole heard/until their cock falls off.

That'll be agony for 'em.

(I admit I haven't give this due thought)
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:01, Reply)

whatever the circumstances?
What if two really pissed people meet in a bar, flirt a bit, go somewhere, the woman is in no fit state to say no but definitely doesn't want sex and the bloke is in no fit state to ask properly but thinks she does? It's still rape. But you can't (realistially anyway) argue the man solely has the moral responsibility to stay sober enough to get signed permission any more than you could get away with arguing that the woman solely must stay sober enough to be clear about saying no.

bit of a devil's advocate line here, of course, I wouldn't condone the actions of the bloke above in any way, I know, but I still think there are "degrees of severity" like any other crime.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:06, Reply)

but how many cases actually fit this?

( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:13, Reply)

These are the cases that people are arguing about changing the laws for
because women in that situation are making a complaint but because there is no realistic chance of prosecution they aren't going to court.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:15, Reply)

If you don't pay a prostitute, does that constitute as rape?
I don't mean that in a bad way, I was just wondering.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:17, Reply)

I have no idea
I would have thought most would demand the money up front.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:19, Reply)

it's fraud, mate
or theft.

just in case anyone actually takes me seriously this was a joke.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:19, Reply)

It only takes one case for there to need to be a range of sentences.
As a lawyer you should know that. Otherwise, if you suggest that there has to be a minimum of fifteen years for rape, it would mean in the case above the bloke would get 15 years (massively over the top) or, more likely, CPS wouldn't prosecute (which would be very wrong)
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:16, Reply)

I imagine it's more than what is reported.

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:16, Reply)

You can't just impose a life sentence for rape
That is completely unworkable. What you'd probably then find is that a greater percentage of rapes actually ended in murder. No witnesses then, innit?
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Wed 18 May 2011, 11:30, Reply)

5 years is only the "minimum" sentence for rape
like all crimes, there are degrees of severity. Maybe not for the victim, but that can't be the only consideration. Sentencing is about rehabilitation and removing risk of re-offending primarily. To consider it just about punishing is basically barbaric.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:56, Reply)

I agree

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:57, Reply)

Sorry, I don't think five years should be the minimum, not if you're a rapist.
Lock them up and throw away the key.
(Poppet some assembly required., Wed 18 May 2011, 11:04, Reply)

*points upwards* ^
it's not always black and white.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:07, Reply)

I understand that.
However, having been raped, and then told by the judge that I was a liar because I didn't immediately undergo a rape-test at the hospital afterwards, I have some very strong feelings which colour my opinion on this subject.
(Poppet some assembly required., Wed 18 May 2011, 11:09, Reply)

So he didn't ask you three times if you were sure?

(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:10, Reply)

Al mate, far too far here

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:11, Reply)

Nope. He was sober, I was sober.
he made a move, I said no, plainly, and he ignored me. It's not a funny matter. It's made a lot of things really difficult for me in the long term.
(Poppet some assembly required., Wed 18 May 2011, 11:12, Reply)

You absolutely have the right to strong opinions
my point is just why there has to be a low-ish minimum sentence.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:17, Reply)

it'd be nice if the minimum sentence actually got applied though,
It very rarely does here.
(Poppet some assembly required., Wed 18 May 2011, 11:19, Reply)

It does here
that's why it's a minimum. Obviously, though, most people get out in less for good behaviour.

I fully appreciate that it's very hard as the victim of a crime to see prison as anything other than a punishment and therefore to be angry if the sentence is low or shortened, but we are supposed to be civilised human beings not babarians and prison is not meant to be primarily a punishment, that's not really justice. People are released early for other reasons. Not that, I'm sure, that makes you feel any better.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:22, Reply)

See knife crime minimum sentence of 5 years - not

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:27, Reply)

It fucking well should be about punishment!

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:30, Reply)

why?
if it's solely about punishment than flog and/or execute everyone and BAM! well done, back in the middle ages.

A justice system is about rehabilitation, punishment, removal of risk of reoffending and remorse. All four matter in civilised society.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:38, Reply)

I didn't say solely
Sentences should be half harsh punishment, so no one ever wants to go back, and half rehabilitation so that they have the opportunity to not reoffend.

The removal of risk is important, but not in all cases as a person caught embezzling is hardly a massive threat!
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:41, Reply)

But,
What about all the really difficult cases in between though, like mighty badger set out above? Cases where the woman is so drunk she can't actually remember and actually, maybe the night before she did want to have sex with the guy she woke up with, but now bitterly regrets it and assumes she must have said no?
(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:09, Reply)

That is for the court to decide I think

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:10, Reply)

But the point is, in that situation, is the man as culpable as someone who hides in an alleyway
and then grabs his victim and rapes them.

I would argue quite clearly not. They may be in the wrong, but they are unlikely to present a long term danger to society, and as Swipey says, it costs a fortune to keep someone in prison.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:12, Reply)

if the min sentence was high
it would never even get to court (because a jury in that case would probably just acquit) and do even more damage to the rape reporting and convition rate.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Wed 18 May 2011, 11:19, Reply)

Maybe this is an overly-simplistic solution
but why don't they introduce this idea, whilst also increasing the minimum sentence for the crime? This would mean that rapists are not just getting out after 15 months just because they pled guilty.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Wed 18 May 2011, 10:42, Reply)