Victims have no rights
Fury erupted
after David Blunkett’s lawyers said burglars
need protection from householders. They insist
villains deserve to be treated like any member of
the public — and MUST be able to sue
homeowners who attack them during a break-in. The
Home Secretary’s lawyers made their bizarre
argument to High Court judges in a legal bid to
block a parole claim by jailed farmer Tony
Martin. Mr Blunkett insisted he had nothing to do
with the ruling. His aides refused to condemn it
— confirming that criminals are entitled to
rights.
But Shadow Home Secretary Oliver Letwin said,
“This is the height of absurdity. The Home
Secretary said to me he would back my amendment
to the Criminal Justice Bill, blocking burglars
who try to sue for damage done to them while
burgling. Now his department appears to be going
in the opposite direction. The world has clearly
gone mad. Why on earth should I be able to sue
for things that happen while I am in the process
of burgling?”
Furious Norman Brennan, of the Victims of Crime
Trust, said, “The public are sick and tired
of all these organisations pandering to the
offender. Burglars forfeit any rights they have
when they commit a crime.” Mr Martin, 58,
has served four years for manslaughter after
killing 16-year-old burglar Fred Barras. But Home
Office lawyers said Mr Martin is still a threat
to burglars — and must not be let out early.
Leaked papers show they believe burglars should
be guaranteed protection from homeowners who try
to protect their properties.
The document says: “It cannot possibly be
suggested that members of the public cease to be
members of the public whilst committing criminal
offences.” Mr Martin refused to show remorse
for shooting his burglars and until he does
cannot be considered for parole. A second burglar
shot by Mr Martin — Brendon Fearon —
had his claim for damages thrown out by a
Nottingham court. But Fearon managed to sue with
legal aid.
Burglars who violate people’s homes,
terrorise innocent folk and steal their
hard-earned possessions deserve no sympathy. They
can’t have equal rights with their victims.
The Home Office says society cannot condone the
murder or injury of criminals. Hang on a minute.
That’s a pretty sweeping load of nonsense.
Unarmed criminals must expect reasonable force to
be used against them. But if a burglar comes at
you with a knife or a gun and ends up dead or
injured, who’s fault is that but his? Live
by the sword, die by the sword. Victims will shed
no tears.
After a £60,000 contract had been put on
Martin’s life by friends of raider Fred
Barras, Scotland Yard had talked of sending
Martin abroad when he was freed but the plan was
axed because the law says Brendon Fearon, 33,
must be told where Martin is. Fearon can also
give his opinion about Martin’s release
plans under the Victims’ Charter. David
Hines, of the Victims Voice group, said,
“It’s uttertly ridiculous.”
Martin’s friend Richard Portham said,
“This is another nail in the coffin of fair
play and decency.”
Fearon was told that under the Human Rights Act
he has the right to have his compensation claim
against Martin heard. The judge said the full
hearing must consider what rights a householder
has to protect his property and also (get this),
whether a burglar can be deemed to be outside of
the law..!!! Proof, if it was ever needed, that
the law in this country really is bollocks.
The Tony Martin case is the most absurd
injustice. He cannot be protected by a new
identity when he’s freed from jail. The law
says the man he shot, career criminal Brendon
Fearon, must know Martin’s whereabouts.
Fearon is deemed to be a “victim of serious
crime.” His fellow gipsies have put a
£60,000 price on Martin’s head (probably
paid for with a government grant). So who’s
the victim here? The burgled farmer who has been
heavily punished for his crime... Or the low-life
waster who exists to make other people’s
lives a misery? You have to wonder whose side the
law is on.
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