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A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY has been charged with murdering a pensioner as he tried to put out a fire during riots near his London home.
Richard Mannington Bowes, 68, died from head injuries three days after being attacked in Ealing, west London. He was trying to stamp out flames when he was assaulted on August 8. The boy is also accused of violent disorder and four counts of burglary relating to separate incidents, the BBC reports. His mother has been charged with perverting the course of justice.
The Guardian reports that a 22-year-old man arrested over the same incident – which occurred last week as violent rioting spread over much of London and other English cities – has since been bailed.
Meanwhile, the UK government has announced new measures designed to make those convicted of riot offences face the consequences of their acts. People not sent to prison will be sent to perform community service in the streets where rioting took place. There will also be a scheme to bring offenders to face-to-face meetings with their victims, the Independent reports.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will make a speech today, saying: “Victims of crime are only truly protected if punishment leads to criminals not committing crime again. Criminals must be punished and then made to change their ways.
“That’s why those people who behaved so despicably last week should have to look their victims in the eye.”
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Can’t see this 16 year old as being a boh. Especially given the offences. Disgusting.
At least he’s been charged which will be some tiny justice for the mans grieving family.
Name him!
I thought that it was fascinating that the mother was charged with perverting the course of justice. I’m not sure of the details, but I envisage that she is one of those mothers that has a cut off the principle when teachers try to discipline her child, which is probably why he thought he could get away with it. Offences in school need to be treated in the same manner as offences on the street or we’ll end up with the same problems as the UK. ‘Bullies’ should be referred to an Garda Siochana for assault or intimidation. Student with fireworks and bangers are in possession of illegal explosives and should be referred to police also. We’ve let society get out of hand and have not been responsible in protecting the innocent from thugs.
This was a failure of by the mother in teaching her son right and wrong, as well as a failure of the state to take an active interest in the upbringing of children. If the parents can’t or won’t perform the repsonsibilities, the state must do it for them.
Not sure how public education works in Ireland or the U.K., but maybe there should be the adoption of police departments dedicated to the school system, and take student discipline from the principal, teacher, parent, etc.
In many places in the U.S., there are police empowered by the school districts to guard school property and “police” the students. Depending on the severity of the infraction, they can issue a fine against the parents, refer the students removal to an alternative discipline school, or go further to refer the students to the state for formal charges.
If that system were in place, maybe this kid would not have been free to murder.
have your say