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The jails are overcrowded and you are pressed by the Home Office to administer alternative punishment wherever appropriate.
You have before you three totally different offenders for sentencing.
Offender A is a hooded raider who ransacked a local post office in the middle of the night, terrorised and grappled with the 62-year-old occupant and when apprehended refused to co-operate with the police.
Offender B repeatedly kicked a fallen policeman in the head outside a Wilmslow bar.
Offender C admitted making one false statement to obtain £9,000 in overpaid housing benefit.
Remember, you are trying to keep all but the most serious offenders out of prison; so what's your verdict? (Answer now before reading any further).
Here's what actually happened in Macclesfield magistrates court:
Offender A (the hooded post office raider) was given community service and a curfew.
Offender B (violent attack on a police officer) ordered to pay a £500 fine and a curfew.
Offender C (benefit cheat) was jailed for five months.
If you came up with the same verdict as Macclesfield magistrates please contact me and explain the logic.
- The views expressed on this page are those of Vic Barlow and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Express.
