Judge Patricia Lynch, QC

I would never use the 'C' word because it belittles women, but by the same token we say dick and prick, which both belittle men, so like jane I have often wondered why the word under discussion has become taboo when others have not. Does anyone have the answer?

The concept of taboo words has always intrigued me. Words are just sounds in the air or marks on paper if transcribed. I suspect that its the emotion behind the word that is considered unpleasant. C**t is just a slang name for a body part. Why should that be deemed so offensive? Blasphemy used to be considered to be a dreadful thing but casual 'taking the Lords name in vein' is very common now.
Maybe its only the older generation who adhere to the concept of 'bad words'. I'd be interested to hear thatbags view on this but suspect that she's on holiday.

She should go.People like her should always be above that sort of thing.
I can swear,and do,all the time,but that word is taboo,I hate it.

When I read about this and saw photographs of the Judge and the defendant, I confess to having laughed. I'm not surprised though that its caused a bit of controversy. I don't like foul and abusive language used aggressively, as it certainly was by the defendant. It doesn't seem to have been used aggressively by the Judge, more that she used his language to demonstrate what a nasty piece of work he is.

I wouldn't want to see her loose her job over this. That would be a ridiculous over reaction. I wouldn't want her, or any other Judges, to use that kind of language in court, no matter what the provocation. Anyone who has worked in the court system will have heard defendants, witnesses etc hurling abuse at the Judge in their case and at others who have stood up to them. I don't think it helps if the Judges or others involved join in the f***fest.

I don't think she was retaliating in anger. I think she was just responding to him in language he understood, she only gave his own words back to him and did not use any other bad language. If she had sworn at him in anger I would probably agree with other posters but I think she quietly gave back to him the words he used to her in a calm manner. I hope it made him think. I would much rather we got rid of the judges who allow child abusers off or are lenient to rapists.

And that's from someone who has said many fuckety-doo-dahs and fuckety-shits today. Quietly. ish.

I think she should go. Our Courts are too important for standards to be lowered.

In any other walk of life....she would have my backing but in a Court of Law its probably not the best way to deal with such an idiot. An aloof silence and an extra fine for Contempt of Court would have been a better plan.
I'd equate it to when a child first uses the f word.....a cold stare and look of complete disapproval seemed to work for me.

However, as to punishment for her...the equivalent of a verbal warning is all that's necessary if she has not done anything similar before....we are all fallible.

I'm sure I'm not the only retired teacher who has had to deal with foul language in a classroom. I wonder how many of us retaliated by cursing at the culprit. Not acceptable in courtroom or classroom.

It's foul language but quite honestly commonly used.

It might not be something you or I say daily but for a proportion of the U.K. It is.

I can't say it's appropriate language for a judge but I also don't believe it's a sacking offence.

I remember when the f word was hugely offensive , now people use it freely in all company. Some use it as a verb, noun or adjective in pretty much every sentence. So maybe the c word is following suit.

I do not think making her resign (which is how she would be sacked) is OTT at all. She brought her role into disrespect and compromised the impartiality that is the essence of judgement by exchanging insults with this man. I think she should be before the judge for contempt of court.

But it was while she was sentencing him that he swore at her. She should have kept her dignity and simply added to his sentence for contempt of court.

Now there's to be an investigation amid calls for the Judge to be sacked...OTT of course but par for the course these days.

I think it was brilliant. Obnoxious man, in trouble for offensive behaviour towards a woman having a go at a female judge and seeking to shock. Judge demonstrating that she is unshockable - and sends him down for 18 months.

First reaction was 'good for her ' but on reflection
I think it is not a good example.

Totally unacceptable. A Judge is meant to be impartial, even handed and above the turmoil of the case they are judging.

He is certainly not the first convicted defendant to insult the judge. It is something that happens on a daily basis in courts - and always has. The response is to arraign the defendant before the court,, usually immediately, and add a further sentence for contempt of court on top of the sentence they have already received.

This judge by responding the way she did has abandoned the dignity and gravitas of her position and also her mantle of impartiality. She should be sacked.

Understandable but very inappropriate for a court room. I can and do swear but that is one word I hate and have never used.
The sorry excuse for a human being is a repeat offender when it comes to racial abuse and says he will carry on the same no matter what. I wish there was a suitable punishment.

The Judge should not have said it.I have to agree with Willsmadnan in this case . Not sure what the maximum is for contempt of court but I would have given the maximum possible. I hate to agree with this poster as I am still waiting for an apology from her re some very hurtful remarks in answer to my first ever post on GN

I would have done both!

No, I would not have used that word in court and certainly it should not be used by a judge- I would have hit him where it hurts, his pocket.

I think I'd have hit him with another 3 months for contempt of court instead.

No, not good to sink to his level

Yes, very good!!!

No. Not good. Not from a judge in a courtroom.

Good for her I say