You are right, Max. Nothing to do with aviation but such a serious situation that it is absolutely right that it is mentioned here.
I have seen some crazy things in my life but what I have seen today defies description. This sort of nonsense does not occur in the US and it should not occur in the UK.
What sort of a crazy screwed up system is it that puts a man away for simply defending himself against burglars? What sort of message does this send out to the ever growing criminal community?
The judge in handing out the sentence said that " this should serve as a dire warning to those who burgle" and "Homeowners can use reasonbable force" but at the same time hands down a life sentence!!!
The person who really made me furious tonight was the Chief Constable of Norfolk who said that he agreed with the sentence and that people should leave Burglaries to the Police!!!!!! How many times had Mr Martin been burgled before? Had the Police done anything about it?
If Mr Martin had gone out of his way to locate a criminal before blowing them away or had popped off ramblers on this land that would have been a completely different matter but all he was doing was sitting at home minding his own business!
It is very easy for the PC brigade to argue that he went beyond what was reasonable but I would say to them that it is very easy to make these statements in the cold light of day. Try being rational when you are in the middle of nowhere during the night confronted by a gang of criminals. You don't know how many there are or how well they are armed. They aren't interested in being 'reasonable' and yet you as the victim have to use balanced reason in making your decision whilst scared out of your mind!! I am not for a minute saying that its right to kill someone but in this situation he had every right to defend himself.
And remember these 'fun loving and devoted people' had 115 convictions between the three of them!
I am absolutely disgusted at what has happened today. An innocent man has been handed a sentence similar to those who have coldly kidnapped, tortured and butchered children. The man has no criminal past and was simply minding his own business. This is not justice by the wildest stretch of the imagination.
The whole business is a grotesque miscarriage of justice and leaves me extremely distressed. I will be writing to my MP and would strongly urge anyone who agrees with me to do the same. This country is descending into a criminal infested cesspit and the 'system' only seems to be interested in defending the rights of those who inflict constant misery and suffering on others.
The only shred of hope is talk of an appeal. I hope and pray it is successful.
I hope everyone on this Forum agrees. Remember, this could happen to any one of us.
My thoughts are with Mr Martin (and only Mr Martin) tonight.
[This message has been edited by Doors to Automatic (edited 19 April 2000).]