Court of appeal decides that 'drunk and angry' is an excuse.

[Grumpmeister]

I'm sorry, being 'drunk and angry' is no excuse for what you did and is certainly no grounds for a reduction in sentence. Six years was pushing the boundaries of a minimum sentence for your actions, four and a half years is just taking the pi55. I'm guessing his victim feels really satsfied and protected by the legal system in this country.

A rapist who was chased and caught by passers-by after he attacked a woman on a County Durham footpath has been granted a reduction in his sentence.
In July 2006, 20-year-old Martin Walsh was surrounded by local people in Tanfield when his victim struggled free and raised the alarm.

He was jailed for life at Durham Crown Court with a minimum term of six years for two rapes and an indecent assault.

This was reduced to four-and-a-half years at London's Court of Appeal.

During the trial, the court heard Walsh was "drunk and angry" when he dragged the young woman into bushes and threatened to kill her before carrying out what was described as a series of sickening attacks.

His victim eventually freed herself and fled semi-naked before being helped by two youths who were cycling past.

Adam Barker, aged 17, and 16-year-old Johnathan Stoker took a description of Walsh and tracked him down before alerting allotment holders who surrounded him and detained him until police arrived.

Judge Tim Hewitt awarded both boys ?200 from public funds and praised their actions in helping the victim.

The teenagers were later presented with the Shrievalty Award by the High Sheriff of Durham.

[Barman]

That is sickening on a number of counts!

Firstly, the guy is sentenced to life with a minimum term of six years for two rapes and an indecent assault. What the fuck is that about? The guy is a rapist that threatened violence ? life should mean that women are never exposed to this animal ever again!

Secondly, how can they possible say that being drunk and angry is an excuse? I?ve always believed that your true character comes out when you are drunk ? this guy showed his.

He should never be allowed out or access to alcohol ever again. I'm disgusted.

EDIT The only good thing about this story is that the girl?s family won?t have to wait so long to track him down like a dog and kill him ? which is what I would do if it happened to my daughter.

[Grumpmeister]

Just what planet does the court of appeal live on? Here is another one that they have reduced the sentencing conditions of. This animal has had his minimum sentence hacked down to almost half of what it was.

A serial rapist who dragged women off the streets and stole their stiletto shoes as trophies has had his minimum jail sentence reduced by almost half.
So-called Dearne Valley Shoe Rapist James Lloyd was jailed for life at Sheffield Crown Court in 2006.

The 50-year-old father-of-two attacked a string of women in the 1980s.

At the Court of Appeal on Wednesday, his specified minimum jail term was reduced from 14 years and six months to seven years and 263 days.

Term 'too high'

The former printing firm manager, of Thurnscoe, South Yorkshire, had been jailed after he admitted raping four women and attempting to rape another two between 1983 and 1986.

He was tracked down through his sister's DNA after police decided to look again at the case.

Lloyd, who has tried to kill himself while in prison, was present in the dock of the London courtroom for his appeal against the length of his minimum sentence.

It was argued that Judge Goldsack had taken too high a "starting point" of 35 years when deciding on the minimum term to be served.

Hang on, this is a serial rapist who by definition would be a threat to anyone he felt he could get away with doing it to. Violent sexual crimes should not have a minimum sentence to serve, or eligibility for parole. If they want to act like animals then treat them as such and lock them away for the rest of their lives.

Mr Justice Irwin, sitting with Lord Justice Latham and Mr Justice Wyn Williams, ruled that the trial judge was correct to impose life terms for the rape counts.

But, he said: "In our judgement the . . .case is a particularly serious case at the top end of the range, but did not justify a starting point of 35 years before allowance was made for a plea of guilty."

You ask any of his victims if his crimes justified a 35 year minimum sentence, in fact try telling them to their faces that this animal doesnt deserve the sentence he was given and just see the response.