Menu
07/04/2006
Judge condemns child racism charge as 'crazy'
A judge has branded the prosecution of a schoolboy for alleged racism as "political correctness gone mad".
The ten-year-old from Irlam, Greater Manchester appeared before Salford Youth Court charged with racially abusing a fellow pupil.
He had been accused of calling the other boy names such as 'Paki' and 'Nigger'. The boy had admitted using one racial insult, but said that that the other boy had called him 'white trash'.
The court heard that the boys were now friends who played football with each other.
Judge Jonathan Finestein said that he thought the decision to prosecute the boy was "crazy" and urged the Crown Prosecution Service to drop the case.
He said: "Have we really got to the stage where we are prosecuting 10-year-old boys because of political correctness?"
When he was a child, the judge said, he had repeatedly been called 'fat', but he said that, in those days, the headmaster would have given both boys a "good clouting".
However, the National Union of Teachers has accused Judge Finestein of being "out of date" with the way schools dealt with such issues.
The case has been adjourned until April 20.
(KMcA)
The ten-year-old from Irlam, Greater Manchester appeared before Salford Youth Court charged with racially abusing a fellow pupil.
He had been accused of calling the other boy names such as 'Paki' and 'Nigger'. The boy had admitted using one racial insult, but said that that the other boy had called him 'white trash'.
The court heard that the boys were now friends who played football with each other.
Judge Jonathan Finestein said that he thought the decision to prosecute the boy was "crazy" and urged the Crown Prosecution Service to drop the case.
He said: "Have we really got to the stage where we are prosecuting 10-year-old boys because of political correctness?"
When he was a child, the judge said, he had repeatedly been called 'fat', but he said that, in those days, the headmaster would have given both boys a "good clouting".
However, the National Union of Teachers has accused Judge Finestein of being "out of date" with the way schools dealt with such issues.
The case has been adjourned until April 20.
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 April 2007
Teenager jailed for rape lie
A 17-year-old girl who falsely accused a taxi driver of rape has been sentenced to a four-month detention and training order. The teenager, from Shipley in Yorkshire, was told that she would serve two months of her sentence in custody, at sentencing at Bradford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
Teenager jailed for rape lie
A 17-year-old girl who falsely accused a taxi driver of rape has been sentenced to a four-month detention and training order. The teenager, from Shipley in Yorkshire, was told that she would serve two months of her sentence in custody, at sentencing at Bradford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
18 March 2009
Hodgson Conviction Quashed After 27 Years
A man who has spent 27 years in prison has had his conviction quashed at the Court of Appeal. Sean Hodgson, now 57, was sentenced to life imprisonment for strangling 22-year-old gas board clerk and part-time barmaid Teresa De Simone in Southampton.
Hodgson Conviction Quashed After 27 Years
A man who has spent 27 years in prison has had his conviction quashed at the Court of Appeal. Sean Hodgson, now 57, was sentenced to life imprisonment for strangling 22-year-old gas board clerk and part-time barmaid Teresa De Simone in Southampton.
03 January 2006
Political correctness ‘censoring’ society
Britain’s institutions are being subjected to a “subtle form of censorship” by political correctness, a new study has suggested.
Political correctness ‘censoring’ society
Britain’s institutions are being subjected to a “subtle form of censorship” by political correctness, a new study has suggested.
26 August 2004
Tories pledge to 'turn back tide of political correctness'
The Tories have pledged to change culture of government and turn back the tide of political correctness if the party ascends of office at the next general election.
Tories pledge to 'turn back tide of political correctness'
The Tories have pledged to change culture of government and turn back the tide of political correctness if the party ascends of office at the next general election.
11 November 2009
Teenage Child Rapist Detained
A teenage boy who raped a five-year-old boy just eight days escaping a custodial sentence for another attack has been detained for at least three years, The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted a number of charges related to the child, including rape and child abduction.
Teenage Child Rapist Detained
A teenage boy who raped a five-year-old boy just eight days escaping a custodial sentence for another attack has been detained for at least three years, The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted a number of charges related to the child, including rape and child abduction.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
