Outlaw Pete wrote: » It's not sliding by anyone, it's just that most people (that followed the case at least) could see from the evidence that it was an absolute nonsense to charge him with that given that charges of grooming usually entail a person having acted in a manner far different to how they would act with someone who was over the age of consent. For example, talking about things only a child would be interested in, things adults generally are not, such as pretending to be able to get tickets for some famous boy band's next concert, crap like that. If anything Johnson treated her like she was much older than she was. I can remember from trial reports that him parking in a dark lane was one of the main things cited as evidence that he groomed her. Give me a break. He was engaged, people knew him to see, of course he was going to meet her covertly ffs. After he told her things had gone too far she kept pursing him by the way. Went to his home and took photos, then posted them online. Six years for a fumble with a girl just mere months from the age of consent does not deserve six bloody years in prison. It's grossly inconsistent with sentencing in the UK, particularly for those with clean records. You can base the reasoning for that on the notion that all sentencing should be increased to match Johnson's sentence but that's preposterous and a laughable effort at trying to justify the six year sentence. Yeah, he knew what he was doing, nobody has ever, to my knowledge, including Johnson himself, ever suggested otherwise.
Outlaw Pete wrote: » It's not sliding by anyone, it's just that most people (that followed the case at least) could see from the evidence that it was an absolute nonsense to charge him with that given that charges of grooming usually entail a person having acted in a manner far different to how they would act with someone who was over the age of consent. For example, talking about things only a child would be interested in, things adults generally are not, such as pretending to be able to get tickets for some famous boy band's next concert, crap like that. If anything Johnson treated her like she was much older than she was. I can remember from trial reports that him parking in a dark lane was one of the main things cited as evidence that he groomed her. Give me a break. He was engaged, people knew him to see, of course he was going to meet her covertly ffs.
Meeting a child following sexual grooming etc. [F1(1) A person aged 18 or over (A) commits an offence if— [F2(a) A has met or communicated with another person (B) on at least two occasions and subsequently— (i) A intentionally meets B, (ii) A travels with the intention of meeting B in any part of the world or arranges to meet B in any part of the world, or (iii) B travels with the intention of meeting A in any part of the world, (b) A intends to do anything to or in respect of B, during or after the meeting mentioned in paragraph (a)(i) to (iii) and in any part of the world, which if done will involve the commission by A of a relevant offence,] (c) B is under 16, and (d) A does not reasonably believe that B is 16 or over. (2) In subsection (1)— (a) the reference to A having met or communicated with B is a reference to A having met B in any part of the world or having communicated with B by any means from, to or in any part of the world; (b) “relevant offence” means— (i) an offence under this Part, (ii) F3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (iii) anything done outside England and Wales F4. . . which is not an offence within sub-paragraph (i) F4. . . but would be an offence within sub-paragraph (i) if done in England and Wales. (3) F5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable— (a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both; (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.
After he told her things had gone too far she kept pursing him by the way. Went to his home and took photos, then posted them online.
Six years for a fumble with a girl just mere months from the age of consent does not deserve six bloody years in prison. It's grossly inconsistent with sentencing in the UK, particularly for those with clean records. You can base the reasoning for that on the notion that all sentencing should be increased to match Johnson's sentence but that's preposterous and a laughable effort at trying to justify the six year sentence.
Yeah, he knew what he was doing, nobody has ever, to my knowledge, including Johnson himself, ever suggested otherwise.
Outlaw Pete wrote: » Six years for a fumble with a girl just mere months from the age of consent does not deserve six bloody years in prison.
Candie wrote: » It's also sliding by most commentators that he was convicted of grooming as well, a serious charge and one that rightly deserves a lengthy sentence. He knew damn well what he was doing was wrong. I don't think his sentence is too long, I think the usual sentences are too short.
2Mad2BeMad wrote: » A 15 year old girl had a crush on him, and he took advantage of it. Hes a sick person, who thought he'd get his rocks of a young teenage girl.
GerryDerpy wrote: » I think he just an idiot. What he did probably wasn't the worst thing in the world, after all the age of consent differs country to country. But you have to be a right idiot to risk it.
Candie wrote: » You're entitled to your opinion Pete.
One eyed Jack wrote: » No Pete, that's not what charges of grooming a child entail at all, and certainly not in the jurisdiction that Johnson was charged with the offence
So what? That doesn't absolve him of his actions. The victim is not on trial, and if Johnson wanted to claim he was the victim of harassment by a child, that would have been a completely different set of circumstances and a different case.
It wasn't six years for a fumble with a girl mere months from the age of consent, you're ignoring the more serious additional charge of grooming a child, and the sentencing for both crimes he was found guilty of, were absolutely consistent with sentencing guidelines and given the fact he went to trial instead of admitting his guilt.
Outlaw Pete wrote: » So please tell me, in the context of the above, how the hell this same judge can deem giving Adam Johnson a six year prison sentence is apt?
wonderfullife wrote: » Why are you talking about her like she's a 2 year old? If she was a tiny bit older, say 16 and not 15, would you still think Adam Johnson is a "sick person"? 16 is legal in the UK. I've a friend in London who met a 16-year-old girl in a nightclub when he was 27. They're married now with kids and super happy. Is he sick? Why do you arbitrarily determine that a 15-year-old is less-capable of informed consent and rational decision making than a 16-year-old? Because someone wrote it in a law? The German model is a far more nuanced piece of legislation and I think we could do with something similar in this country regarding ages-of-consent for sex, alcohol, voting and smoking whilst simultaneously protecting young people who are not in a position to make informed choices. The voting one is particularly egregious. Nobody is going to convince me that a 17-year-old, even 16-year-old lacks the necessary maturity and intelligence to understand the issue they'd be voting on.
2Mad2BeMad wrote: » And yes I do find your friend disgusting. And I'm sure her parents did as well.
wonderfullife wrote: » As for Adam Johnson, he knew the law and broke it. If he had waited another few months and broke no law, all he would be is a cheater on his wife. He didn't and he has to do his time now.