6 months ago my cousin Jonathan was murdered while he drank in his local in Bridgnorth. A man who had been in the pub took offence to a comment Jonny made about his girlfriend. He went home, got a knife, came back and stabbed his neck and head 8 times until he was dead. Jonny was a big man, 6'7" and it took a frenzied attack to kill him. The attacker is well known as trouble in Bridgnorth and he has a string of offences to his name.
Last week a Judge decided to release this man until the trial. This has rocked the family in the Midlands. They still haven't come to terms with it and are now worried on two counts. Firstly they are genuinely scared about what this man could do, despite court orders restricting him to 1 mile from Jonny's Mother and sister. The other thing they are concerned about is the witch hunt that is literally Hell bent on revenge. Jonny was a biker and had many friends in the uk 'Hells Angels', the reputation goes before them, but there are one or two members who aren't exactly shrinking violets. My cousins are really concerned that nothing happens for a number of obvious reasons.

Some might actually know Jonny (ageing rocker element) he was Bass player for the 'Robin George band' and bore a striking resemblance to the Quaker Oats man. He had giant hands and a wicked sense of humour, which sadly did for him in the end. But why have they let his alleged murderer go?

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2001

Answers

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-- Anonymous, July 27, 2001

I think it's all part of our hard-won "civil liberties".

It will be a sad day for this country when a person is not free to be worried to death about reprisals from someone they've had banged up for violence against them.

Allegedly.

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2001

Its a total disgrace . Unfortunatley the people in the courts dont live in the real world.

I was assaulted in whitley bay over a year ago , and to cut a long story etc , The bloke was given a fine and a suspended sentance, he allready had been done for assault 4 times and had a case pending for a similar misdemeanour in newcastle.

Now this bloke lost his doormans licence for north tyneside, he still hasnt payed the fine , and was seen working in Whitley last bank holiday.

My father in law was a JP but gave it up because of the bloody bleeding hearts at the courts. Im very sorry to hear about your loss and im afraid justice in the country will never be done , untill we stop do gooders getting into the courts.

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2001

Swift, I am so sorry that your family has had to go through this terror. I am also sorry that my specialism (financial law) means that I am utterly useless for these purposes and can only remember dead relics of criminal procedure from law school. Can you tell me whether it was a normal bail hearing last week? I'll speak to my mate, Helen, a criminal barrister (of good Geordie stock) and see what she says.

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2001

pretty sure Dougal, i know it came as a big shock

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2001

Swift, Helen got straight back to me and says that the judge must have been satisfied that he posed no major threat while out on bail although she was a bit surprised given the nature of the crime. However, she says that there is an element of keeping prison populations down as a public policy issue going on at the moment. Something similar happened to a bloke that her chambers were involved in prosecuting so she really feels for your family. If you have any more details, can you let us know (e mail me on my work address) as she is really interested in this now.

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2001

I agree with Kennyboy swifty, they don't live in the real world. They have never been victimized and let's be honest, Judges don't seem to live in the likes of Elswick, Byker etc. Their real world is the rambling lawns of their estate homes, and they honestly believe a "promise" to behave will be kept. Same thing in the courts here, an utter shambles and a disgrace.

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2001