Take Away His Driving License Too...

A dad’s gun licence bid has been thwarted after a judge branded him “unfit to be trusted with a deadly firearm”.

Hmmm, why? 

... the 43-year-old misled the authorities on his application form after changing his name three times, to hide his criminal record and “intemperate” short fuse.

Judge Simon James told Barnes his “deliberate lack of frankness” was indicative of someone shrouded in “secrecy and privacy”.

Amongst other things! 

Going by the name Rashid Farooq, Barnes in 2006 was convicted at trial of harassing his former partner and jailed for 24 weeks.

Having changed his name to Taff Morgan in 2013, Barnes successfully launched a shotgun licence bid after failing to disclose the conviction. Police in 2015 seized the weapon following further allegations of violence.

Barnes, who works with animals, soon changed his name to Solomon Barnes-Knight. He was then handed a community order for animal cruelty in 2018 after leaving a dog inside a car. Prosecutors told the court Barnes became threatening towards police officers assisting the RSPCA - claims he denied.

/facepalm 

Under his fourth name Damion Barnes, and with the help of wife Sarah Knight, a Kent Police investigations officer (Ed: Wait, what..?!), he launched another firearms licence application.

You almost have to admire his persistance, don't you? 

But Barnes’ GP surgery declared to police he had a history of depression, difficulties controlling his temper, a suspected personality disorder and was in treatment for ADHD at London’s Maudsley Hospital. Legally, applicants must declare their medical history under the Firearms Act.

Sarah Knight should be expecting an interview without coffee by AC12, shouldn't she? It certainly calls into question her judgement! 

His barrister Graham Gilbert added Barnes’ learning difficulties had led to confusion over which box to tick when declaring previous convictions and he had never been formally diagnosed with a personality disorder.

Anyone think this man should have a shotgun? Anyone? Bueller? 

Barnes, of The Elders in Littlebourne, near Canterbury, was ordered to pay £2,250 legal fees for the appeal heard at Canterbury Crown Court on Thursday, April 8.

Can't wait to see what his fifth name will be! 

The Illusion Of Safety...

Kay Early was repeatedly punched and kicked until she was almost unconscious when a man attacked her as she walked her dog in Alexandra Park in Hastings, in June last year.

The 33-year-old suffered significant head injuries, cuts and bruises all over her body and has experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following the assault, which happened in daylight.

And the police caught the alleged perpetrator, for once. But... 

Claire Noble, Kay's best friend since childhood, said: "About three weeks ago the investigation into her case was dropped and we were told there was not enough evidence to take it to court.

"Police said had there been appropriate CCTV footage, that would have strengthened the case."

As well as the fact there are various incidents of aggression and harassment, there are no security measures in our local park to protect people."

Even if they installed some, where would be that 'protection' that you say need? CCTV is being asked for by the police to make their job easier after the fact! 

Claire launched an online petition calling for CCTV and lighting in the park on an "Indigo Path". The path would run through the entire length of the park, be well lit after dark and fully monitored by CCTV at all times.

Claire said: "We want a safe route through areas which are otherwise difficult to police. "It's not just about catching people, it's about prevention."

How would the presence of CCTV have deterred the nutter who attacked her? 

Are Some Judges Waking Up..?

A judge has slammed 'nonsensical and very wrong' sentencing laws after he was forced to let off a Spice-addled thug who beat up a boy with a shorter jail term.

Welcome to our world, your honour! What took you so long? 

He told Davies: 'You loaded a crack pipe with Spice, smoked it and then, whilst hallucinating, you set on a defenceless 10-year-old boy.

'You physically assaulted him in a deranged way, in a scene akin to a horror film. This is a child who has suffered serious psychological harm.

'It is obvious to anyone with any common sense that your actions towards that child would have put them in fear.

'Every type of sentence has been tried in your case from community orders to suspended sentences, but you have failed to respond to them.

'On this occasion you went out and bought spice when your release note setting out the terms and conditions was still in your pocket. You treated it with utter contempt.'

Of course he did. And why not? It is, after all, worthy of contempt, is it not? 

Davies served 19 months of his sentence including time served on remand before being freed on December 18 last year with 20 months to go of his sentence.

I bet his brief didn't have to work too hard: 

In mitigation Davies's defence counsel Anthony Morris said: 'A report on him recognises there has been a significant emotional impact on the child but there is no suggestion it is the most serious type of harm.

'Medical evidence suggests the victim was clinically well and medically fit when he was last seen.

'While the defendant has been a regular spice user this is the first occasion where he has responded with violence.'

Oh, really? What say the prosecution? 

'He has two previous convictions for battery in 2012 and 2016.

'This was a sustained assault by an adult on a child who ended up having to lock himself in the bathroom.

'This 10-year-old child must have been affected by what was an ordeal for him.'

Hmmm. Maybe the judge should be looking at all the people treating the justice system with contempt... 

Derek Bentley Reversed...

Louis Barrett was yesterday jailed for 20 months after admitting racist harassment, and a racist common assault.

But Bradley Garrett, who smashed the bottle in Yehsung Kim’s face, breaking his teeth, was spared an immediate jail sentence. Instead he was given a two year sentence, suspended for two years.

Wait, what...?

Judge Stephen Mooney said he took into account the fact that Garrett was just 15 at the time of the attack, and blamed Barrett for sparking the incident.

/facepalm

“Mr Garrett you were 15 at the time. You were swept along by the language of your co-accused and lashed out with a bottle causing most unpleasant injuries.

“You find yourself in what some may regard a fortunate position today.

“Be under no illusion, if I see you again, for breach of your suspended sentence or new offences you will be going directly to prison.”

People claim justice wasn't done in 1952. I wonder if the victim feels that 2019 is any better...?