Letters / Is that fair?
Earlier this year there was much public debate over the sentence of 16-year-old Samuel Barlow (Air rifle teenager jailed for three years; SN, 4/02/2015).
Samuel was put to prison for three years for five charges relating to pointing an air rifle at police officers and members of the public.
It is important to remember here, although a very serious offence, not a single round was fired.
This leads me to question how a 22-year-old man was given 120 hour unpaid work for “recklessly discharging the air rifle, shooting at the house and cracking several glass windowpanes” (Air rifle man gets 100 hours’ unpaid work; SN, 11/11/15).
In my opinion firing the air rifle must be more serious that pointing one?
Is it fair that a 16-year-old boy who has special needs is sentenced so brutally in comparison to 22-year-old man?
The two cases are very similar, however with one, the gun was pointed at the police and members of the public and the gun was not shot, and in the other it was pointed and shot at a window at which anyone could of been standing behind.
So what are your opinions?
Name and address supplied.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.