Should the Judge in the teenagers rape case be struck off ?

Its certainly a travesty and those who suffered these assaults must feel as though their trauma dose not matter to our justice system. I don't think judges get struck off exactly but perhaps 'retired'. There are a great deal of people at all levels calling for this sentence to be reversed an a custodial sentence given. Quite rightly so in my opinion.

I'd like to see Judge Nicholas Rowland sent to a rape crisis centre to see, first hand, the trauma and damage done to women by males. I think he should work there, unpaid, for no less than a year so that he can witness that trauma unfolding and then go back to retrain as a circuit judge dealing only with male criminals.

I was very pleased to see Gisele Pelicot speak out about this and remind our justice system of the never ending damage done to the victims. Quite a coincidence that almost immediately after her statement the case has been confirmed as being referred back to the court of appeal.

Petitions from both Houses of Parliament to the reigning Monarch are required to dismiss a High Court judge.

It's rare but has happened and I hope it does in this case.

I fear that there’s a possibility that the judge may have been threatened, given the background of the three boys.

Would it make any difference Cardamom?

He saw the video those monsters made and posted on social media, and would have witnessed what those poor girls went through in court, having been forced to give evidence because they pleaded not guilty to a crime they'd filmed themselves committing and still appears to have had more concern for their welfare than their victims.

He even praised them for their good behaviour during the trial!!🤷

If he was and so unable to do his job, he shouldn't be a judge Ashcombe.

So rape isn’t a crime?
Beggars belief.
In a sense, I can understand the judge as those boys were from a very underprivileged background and giving them a criminal record may not have been a good idea but… bearing in mind the girls’ ages and the enormity of what they did, I believe he was very wrong.

He should most definitely go on a lengthy training course about rape crisis, and be moved to another branch of law.
I have no doubt he is one of the tranche of human rights lawyers specially selected to become part of the Judiciary.

I would like to see him sacked. He's a liability and clueless

Ashcombe

I fear that there’s a possibility that the judge may have been threatened, given the background of the three boys.

If that is the case, man in his position should have reported it immediately.

This so called Judge has basically said ok lads, you are a bit thick so hey ho, doesn’t matter that you raped to young children, filmed it and posted on social media…

The general opinion is that there should have been custodial sentences for these creepy young people. I agree, and applaud the bravery of their victims in reporting the crimes. The fact that the boys filmed everything and shared it online makes it even more shocking.
I don't want to say whether or not the judge should be sacked.
But I am wondering how much rape involving young people actually goes on? I suspect that it's not uncommon, but isn't reported by the victims, boys as well as girls. Sexual abuse is horrible and should be reported, with consequences for the perpetrators.

I think it a pity if custody is regarded as the ultimate sentence and anything else means being let off lightly. Penalties that can be worked through in the community can be just as effective as both punishment and deterrent against reoffending, especially for young offenders. I wouldn’t think that a community sentence automatically implies that rape isn’t regarded as a serious crime.

It’s distressing that the girls don’t feel that justice has been done. Of course that’s important, very, and justifies appeal and a review in this case but I hope doesn’t set an automatic precedent.

Ashcombe

I fear that there’s a possibility that the judge may have been threatened, given the background of the three boys.

What is their background?

The Attorney General has ordered the case to be referred to the Court of Appeal on the grounds that the sentences were too lenient.

We’ll see what comes of this.

winterwhite

I think it a pity if custody is regarded as the ultimate sentence and anything else means being let off lightly. Penalties that can be worked through in the community can be just as effective as both punishment and deterrent against reoffending, especially for young offenders. I wouldn’t think that a community sentence automatically implies that rape isn’t regarded as a serious crime.

It’s distressing that the girls don’t feel that justice has been done. Of course that’s important, very, and justifies appeal and a review in this case but I hope doesn’t set an automatic precedent.

But, these young men are free to repeat the crime at any time while they are ‘working through’ their penalties.
As a grandmother of four young girls, I personally would like to see these criminals off the streets and ‘working through’ their crimes in private.

It needs investigating. It is being investigated, and part of that should include not just this sentence but his track record.

LizzieDrip

The Attorney General has ordered the case to be referred to the Court of Appeal on the grounds that the sentences were too lenient.

We’ll see what comes of this.

I was about to say this.

I'd like to see Judge Nicholas Rowland sent to a rape crisis centre to see, first hand, the trauma and damage done to women by males. I think he should work there, unpaid, for no less than a year so that he can witness that trauma unfolding and then go back to retrain as a circuit judge dealing only with male criminals.
Sorry to be so negative but I think this would be a dreadful idea. Rape crisis centres should be staffed exclusively with females, no traumatised woman or girl should have to have a male witness her therapy for the trauma she's already suffered. I appreciate your motive behind suggesting it, but in my opinion the potential grief to rape victims outweighs any 'realisation' that might dawn on a judge such as this.

Ah, great minds think alike Cossy😉

I understand that simply locking them away may not be the best of action for them, the perpetrators, but surely the safety and peace of mind for their victims and other girls should be paramount in this case?

I utterly agree Rosie

There’s plenty of videos or stories of these awful crimes that Mr Judge could read, if people feel he needs further education.

There’s plenty of videos or stories of these awful crimes that Mr Judge could read, if people feel he needs further education.

He saw the videos of the rapes. He had to watch them as part of the evidence submitted by the prosecution. He watched the boys laughing and urging each other on whilst calling the victims disgusting names. And he STILL thought that, despite finding them guilty of 10 rape convictions between them, that they are essentially good lads who just got led astray by social media and, to underline his support for them he complimented them on their behaviour whilst awaiting trial. No wonder male on female violence is on the increase.

I would hate to see the excuse of underprivileged background added to the list of excuses like age or mental illness put forward to decide punishment.
They knew what they were doing. They had the equipment, both bodily to effect the rape and electronic to record and post the crime.