Criminal discounts for those who admit they’ve done wrong

COURT: Incentives for wrong-doers is surely unfair on their victims who want justice done

Twasn’t quite the night before Christmas, but for one particular breed last week brought the same excitement as the fast approaching visit of Saint Nick.

For among the creatures actually stirring were the shelf-stackers of a certain German supermarket, whose cycling gear goes great guns with the base layer-wearing, fluoro and lycra brigade when it’s put on special sale around about this time each year.

But restraint was the Brown watchword this time round.

Goodness, I didn’t even add another lightweight to the wardrobe to replace the one ripped apart by a recent bruising encounter with John Loudon Mcadam’s trademark work at the bottom of Dunnichen Hill.

When – my GPS cycle tracker reliably informed me – the bitumen bit at 34.8mph.

That’s a surprise, because everyone loves a good deal, don’t they?

Thursday’s cycling shoppers proved that point, but if the quest was one for real discount then they needed to be a couple of hundred yards up the road from the Forfar supermarket.

And to be in a bit of bother. Quite a lot of bother in fact. Thursday is also a busy day at Forfar Sheriff Court; last week was no different, and many of those checking out from the dock left it with a hefty 30% off.

That’s not particular to Angus, it’s in the order of sentencing reduction sheriffs across the land regularly apply when someone pleads guilty.

The bad lad’s reward for actually admitting they’ve done wrong, if you will.

And if that bad lad – or lass – finds his or her self on the very, very naughty step up into the back of the G4S prison van there is the carrot of an even chunkier 50% discount if they don’t do anything silly during a stay at Her Majesty’s pleasure.

Again, that is not an Angus special offer and the judges don’t make the rules by which they are bound.

But a third off at the front end and half off at the back?

It might seem that the victims are the ones not getting that great a deal ...

Get in touch with your local office on 01241 872118 or send a letter to The Courier at letters@thecourier.co.uk.

Criminals are enjoying ‘special offers’ at Forfar Sheriff Court.