Lee Hughes

[Deadlock]

I don't like having to defend a oxf*rd like Lee Hughes, but Ideal is being such a oxf*rd about it I feel I have to.

Hughes is not a murderer, nor did he commit manslaughter. He was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, and for leaving the scene of an accident (in order to avoid having to give a breath test).

[Dirk Gently]

A "killer" eh? That's a very emotive way of putting it. His actions killed someone, yes, but by negligence and stupidity, rather than by planning or forethought.

What would exactly be gained by sending him back to jail? Would it make him more sorry for what he'd done - I doubt it, somehow. Or perhaps it would act as a deterrent to other people? Again, no - all the studies have proved that sentence length has nothing to do with crime rates. So that just leaves satisfying the thirst for revenge of the small-minded "hang 'em and flog 'em" brigade.

I can understand those involved in the case feeling the need for revenge (even though it wont bring the dead man back or do anything positive except make them feel any better in the short-term), but what's your excuse?

[Stranded]

That's just semantics, he's a killer, no matter how he did it he caused it to happen and four children no longer have a father.

So, and this is purely hypothetical here - you open a door of a building, as you open the door it hits somebody on the street on the head, this knocks them unsteday causing them to lose their balance, fall, crack their head on the curb and die. Would that make you a killer?

[Nick Shorey my Lord!]

I'm still waiting for Loyalroyals explanation on what released prisoners allowed professions are. Tea bag makers? Willow basket weavers?

He did the crime, he's served the time (in line with standard UK criminal justice laws/guidelines) and he's earning a wage (and thus paying "his way"). He doesn't play for Reading.

[handbags_harris]

That's just semantics, he's a killer, no matter how he did it he caused it to happen and four children no longer have a father.

Very true on the latter aspect. It could be you in a similar situation though mate. I don't know what the laws are like in Scandinavia, but back home it is very easy to get a prison sentence through a simple act of negligence behind the wheel of a car whether it involves drinking, drugs, or nothing at all. If that happens to you, you'll change your view.

I'd also quite like to know how you feel Hughes is a menace to society.

[TFF]

That's just semantics, he's a killer, no matter how he did it he caused it to happen and four children no longer have a father.

Very true on the latter aspect. It could be you in a similar situation though mate. I don't know what the laws are like in Scandinavia, but back home it is very easy to get a prison sentence through a simple act of negligence behind the wheel of a car whether it involves drinking, drugs, or nothing at all. If that happens to you, you'll change your view.

I'd also quite like to know how you feel Hughes is a menace to society.

There's a whole new argument.

[papereyes]

I did read somewhere that if you were sent off in prison football, you were banned from playing for a pretty long time, just to make the point.

It may have even been in relation to Lee Hughes.

[handbags_harris]

That's just semantics, he's a killer, no matter how he did it he caused it to happen and four children no longer have a father.

Very true on the latter aspect. It could be you in a similar situation though mate. I don't know what the laws are like in Scandinavia, but back home it is very easy to get a prison sentence through a simple act of negligence behind the wheel of a car whether it involves drinking, drugs, or nothing at all. If that happens to you, you'll change your view.

I'd also quite like to know how you feel Hughes is a menace to society.

There's a whole new argument.

I see your point I think - presumably you imply that the act of negligence is to get behind the wheel of a car while doped up or drunk, which is a fair and correct point.

[Silver Fox]

That's just semantics, he's a killer, no matter how he did it he caused it to happen and four children no longer have a father.

So, and this is purely hypothetical here - you open a door of a building, as you open the door it hits somebody on the street on the head, this knocks them unsteday causing them to lose their balance, fall, crack their head on the curb and die. Would that make you a killer?

That all depends, what's your job? Does it involve a silly dance?

[Stranded]

That's just semantics, he's a killer, no matter how he did it he caused it to happen and four children no longer have a father.

So, and this is purely hypothetical here - you open a door of a building, as you open the door it hits somebody on the street on the head, this knocks them unsteday causing them to lose their balance, fall, crack their head on the curb and die. Would that make you a killer?

That all depends, what's your job? Does it involve a silly dance?

In this scenario, I am Michael Flatley - so yes.

[Silver Fox]

I'm just getting a black handkerchief to put on my head

[dean horrix legend]

That's just semantics, he's a killer, no matter how he did it he caused it to happen and four children no longer have a father.

So, and this is purely hypothetical here - you open a door of a building, as you open the door it hits somebody on the street on the head, this knocks them unsteday causing them to lose their balance, fall, crack their head on the curb and die. Would that make you a killer?

No,that would be an accident and I don't think anyone doing that is likely to flee the scene.

Lee Hughes did flee the scene,despite knowing there were injured people involved,so yes I think he is a killer.However,he has done his time and should be able to get on with his life.

[Stranded]

That's just semantics, he's a killer, no matter how he did it he caused it to happen and four children no longer have a father.

So, and this is purely hypothetical here - you open a door of a building, as you open the door it hits somebody on the street on the head, this knocks them unsteday causing them to lose their balance, fall, crack their head on the curb and die. Would that make you a killer?

No,that would be an accident and I don't think anyone doing that is likely to flee the scene.

Lee Hughes did flee the scene,despite knowing there were injured people involved,so yes I think he is a killer.However,he has done his time and should be able to get on with his life.

Ok add, that the door you open is a pub that you've spent the afternoon in and you scarper.

[Zammo]

I totally agree with the original poster. Whether he served the correct time in prison is beside the point. Footballers are role models and the fact that he should be dancing away after scoring goals makes my blood boil. The family members of the deceased must be shaking their heads in disbelief.

[Archie's penalty]

I totally agree with the original poster. Whether he served the correct time in prison is beside the point. Footballers are role models and the fact that he should be dancing away after scoring goals makes my blood boil. The family members of the deceased must be shaking their heads in disbelief.

What should he do then? Hang his head every time he scores?

[Zammo]

Just show some respect. The fact that anyone is questioning that point is a sad reflection on the world we live in.

[Stranded]

I just don't see how doing a dance after scoring a goal, the point of his profession, is disrespectful.

Now if he'd celebrated by pretending to drive a car and crash in to one of his teammates before doing a runner to celebrate with the fans there'd be more of a point.

The guy has served his time in the eyes of this county's justice system and hounding him because he gets excited by scorring a goal just makes no sense and probably drags up the memory of the incident for the family more than just ignoring it.

[Archie's penalty]

Just show some respect. The fact that anyone is questioning that point is a sad reflection on the world we live in.

I completely agree but I don't know how he is supposed to do that.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

I totally agree with the original poster. Whether he served the correct time in prison is beside the point. Footballers are role models and the fact that he should be dancing away after scoring goals makes my blood boil. The family members of the deceased must be shaking their heads in disbelief.

At least someone agrees with me. This was the point I was trying to get across.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

I'm still waiting for Loyalroyals explanation on what released prisoners allowed professions are. Tea bag makers? Willow basket weavers?

He did the crime, he's served the time (in line with standard UK criminal justice laws/guidelines) and he's earning a wage (and thus paying "his way"). He doesn't play for Reading.

What i meant was that Footballers are role models. It's a job, thousands of people would love to do. I don't think there should be second chances when you threw away a previlaged job, as being a footballer.