The stupid keeps on coming!

[Dai.]

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/8416273.stm)

"Man's hoax calls cost the RNLI and Coastguard £24,000"

Here are a few highlights -

Daniel Aldridge, 21, from Romford, Essex, made up to five 999 calls because "he wanted to check" if the coastguard operated a 24-hour service.


Kevin Williams, for Aldridge, who is an apprentice plumber, said his client was "immature" and "unaware" of "seafaring matters".

He added: "He co-operated fully with the police. He was very drunk at the time, although that is no excuse, and if he had not been drunk he would not have done it.

"He said he was egged on by his friend who was with him.
"He was sitting on the beach and did this very, very foolish thing."

--------------------------------------------------

I did notice as well that his switches from 'client' to 'friend' halfway through, was he drunk and sorting out pipes or drunk with his friend on a beach?


its baffling people do things this stupid though.

 

[MCR247]

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/8416273.stm)

"Man's hoax calls cost the RNLI and Coastguard £24,000"

Here are a few highlights -

Daniel Aldridge, 21, from Romford, Essex, made up to five 999 calls because "he wanted to check" if the coastguard operated a 24-hour service.


Kevin Williams, for Aldridge, who is an apprentice plumber, said his client was "immature" and "unaware" of "seafaring matters".

He added: "He co-operated fully with the police. He was very drunk at the time, although that is no excuse, and if he had not been drunk he would not have done it.

"He said he was egged on by his friend who was with him.
"He was sitting on the beach and did this very, very foolish thing."

--------------------------------------------------

I did notice as well that his switches from 'client' to 'friend' halfway through, was he drunk and sorting out pipes or drunk with his friend on a beach?


its baffling people do things this stupid though.

Where does it change?

 

[starrymarkb]

I was going to say that

Kevin Williams, for Aldridge

refers to the Defence Lawyer/Counsel and the not the defendant

 

[Aussie_Rail]

What an idiot, people think its funny but it puts others at risk and it its a drain on a valuable resource. What kind of idiot thinks that emergency services don't run 24hours?

 

[royaloak]

Needless to say he will be let off with a caution instead of being charged for the costs of his stupidity.

 

[jopsuk]

It gets worse- remember, the RNLI, whilst providing a vital emergency service, are a charity, entirely funded by donations, and the crews (barring one or two staff per station) are volunteers, generally with very understanding employers. They provide an amazing, professional, world class service without (much) tax funding.

 

[Dolive22]

Needless to say he will be let off with a caution instead of being charged for the costs of his stupidity.

That report was of his trial. He has been charged, and by the sound of it that was a plea in mitigation so he has been convicted.

 

[royaloak]

After reading the link (should have done that first, sorry ), I was right 200 hours "community service" ie turn up, say I ain't doin that and go home, and pay 10% of the costs of the search! Oh he was drunk so that makes it alright then, he would never have done it if he was sober, so stay in control and don't get drunk then.
If that isn't a let off I don't know what is! should have had to pay the full costs AND compensation, that would send out the right message instead of this namby pamby state we are in now, people like this idiot make my blood boil!

 

[Dolive22]

Oh he was drunk so that makes it alright then, he would never have done it if he was sober, so stay in control and don't get drunk then.

That is pretty much the approach the law takes. Self induced intoxication is treated as recklessness and therefore not a defence to most crimes.

Community service is not a let off. If you 'turn up, say I ain't doin that and go home' you get one chance before you are referred back to the court, who will generally up the community sentence. Eventually if you keep not complying with the sentence you get put inside.

 

[royaloak]

Well I have seen (and been on the end of) drunk idiots and to my way of thinking its indefensible unless somebody else held them down and poured the booze down the idiots neck, they should be treated the same drunk or sober with the same sentence after all the crime is the same so why isn't the punishment?

 

[yorkie]

In America, it would be the full cost, and jail.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8429080.stm

 

[royaloak]

Now THAT is one way I would like us to get like America!