Philpott Sentence

"But whoever shall offend one of these little ones who believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."

King James bible Mathew 18.6

No, I wasn't agreeing with you, bluebell.... as of course you know!

Exactly Ana! Knitting needles anyone?

Oh, for goodness sake......

Too right! Shipman, Sutcliffe, Brady ... all living on benefits with dozens of children ... Oh wait a minute....

From what I have seen of the father over the last couple of days I doubt whether he will be particularly remorseful. I think he will still believe it's everyone else's fault. If the girlfriend hadn't left he wouldn't have had to do it. If everyone had done what he wanted it would never have happened.
Away from him I think the mother will be devastated by what's happened. I can't imagine how she will survive prison or rebuild her life afterwards. I don't envy the people who have to look after them in prison, they will have to be watched constantly and will be a prime target for years.

Granjura - I agree too.

Luke 6:29

Petallus. No.

Jesus said:

It has been said to you of old an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but I say to you if any man strike you, turn the other cheek, and if any man ask for your coat give him your cloak also.

I think this man is not capable of "shame and guilt" - sadly there are such people. The priority is not vitriol or punishment even - but just to get him out of circulation, as he is not in control of his actions. This is why I think life should mean life in this instance. The taking of an action that put his own children at such serious risk is not the behaviour of a man who is safe to be in circulation.

granjura, I totally agree with what you say.

johanna I suppose that's a Christian perspective!

Eloethan what a relief to read your post with which I agree totally. Vitriol is the right word. Now we are even comparing Philpott with Fred West!!

Philpott is many things but he is not a murderer.

And as for those posters who want him to be attacked/tortured/killed in prison, words fail me.

Talk about bloody depressing.

Yes, I agree. Hence my question about the other 11 children - their lives must be shattered by this - and must have been difficult enough before.

It was absolutely and totally out of order of Osborne to try and capitalize on this, and link it to social services cuts, etc. Shameful. And I know such cases are rare, and are exploited by tv, the gutter Press, etc. Shameful.

An yet, I do hope we can have a sensible and sensitive discussion on how such (rare, yes, I know) people can go on to have 17 children and expect the State to care for them. Wouldn't it be better for the children themselves for it to be made harder. If he knew he couldn't get the State to pay for all, housing, etc, etc - he wouldn't have had so many, would he?
As said before, it just couldn't happen in most other countries.

Can we agree that Osborne and the gutter press were totally out of order - and yet ask the question. Probably not...

An eye for an eye....
No?

Everyone is of course upset and angry that six young lives have been lost in such horrible circumstances. But their parents have been punished and will have to live with the shame and guilt of what they've done for the rest of their lives - and the hatred of their families, former friends and just about everybody else.

So what purpose does all this vitriol serve? Can't we just be sad about the lives lost and hope that the remaining children can get over this horrible memory and get on with their lives?

" feeling left out of things?" What? Me? Never!!!

Lully think about the poor people who find prisoners who take their own life. Prison officers have to try to cut off knotted sheets with fish knives whilst holding a dead body in case they can be resuscitated, or deal with pouring blood from cut arteries, and no matter how experienced they are, it is so traumatising that some don't recover. Suicide attempts in prison are so frequent that officers suffer stress and their family lives are damaged. (In 2007/8, for example there were 45 attempts a night!! in Styal prison). The Philpotts will be on suicide watch for some time to come.

I am quietly hoping he might put us all out of our misery and take his own life. It seems to be on the cards for control freaks who kill, like Fred West and Dr Shipman. No tears cried for them.

Presumably they are living with their mothers

What is happening to his other 11 children?

Ignorance of the law a) is no defence and b) fires the knee jerk DMtype reactions of many people!

Philpot's record of aggression would seem to make it unlikely that he will be a model prisoner so not likely to get much positive consideration in 15 years time when he might be eligible to apply for release.

So do I. When has so much knowledge about this type of thing.

Oh, were you having a go at me Jingle? Sorry, that went right over my head

Jingle, are you being rude because you are feeling left out of things?
I am very grateful for When's very informative posts about the prison service and I am sure I am not alone. I do find them very interesting.