These lengthy prison sentences for rioters

I’m afraid they have no sympathy from me - they knew full well what they were doing, a lot of them have previous, and they have to face the consequence of their actions whether they have previous or not. I really believe that most of them thought they would get a slap on the wrist, if apprehended at all. I’m sick and tired of this frequently being the case, and happy that this hasn’t been the case this time. They have caused damage, fear and cost many people their livelihood over the period of violence as they’ve had to shut up shop.
So, some have families, and there are concerns that they will suffer as a result, but actually, these miscreants should have thought of that before they went on the rampage, inflicting terror on innocent people. I’m sorry for their relatives, but not for them.

Here are the very relevant details from the BBC website I cited above, gives the stats in easy to read format:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm23y7l01v8o#:~:text=What%20sentences%20have%20people%20received,sent%20to%20young%20offender%20institutions.

Convictions of particular interest (given the circumstances) are the online offences "There were also 10 people charged with offences involving social media or other online activity."

Cossy

Many of the rioters actually arrested already, had previous form, I don’t think community service is appropriate for those who broke into a hotel and attempted to burn it down, or those who attacked police or set cars on fire.

Agreed.

winterwhite I agree that prisons should have rehabilitate elements, but what you say applies to so many prisoners ie their future/family's future. These are violent offences.

BBC "What sentences have people received? Of those already sentenced, most have been sent to prison. The average prison sentence length was just under two years, but some cases have involved community orders or younger people being sent to young offender institutions."

David Olusoga wrote today that the rioters are simply racists. There is zero excuse for what they did.

Am inclined to agree.

I agree, Cossy.

Some of those sentenced have a string of previous convictions and for some of them this seems more like a slap on the wrist.

*committing grrrrrr

Good job they didn't try to disrupt a bit of traffic. They would have got longer.

The other thing is the longest sentence I’ve seen is 3 years, which in reality will be 18 months. I have little empathy for them at all, most of them were thugs commuting acts of aggression and criminal damage.

Many of the rioters actually arrested already, had previous form, I don’t think community service is appropriate for those who broke into a hotel and attempted to burn it down, or those who attacked police or set cars on fire.

I’d want to know more facts before commenting winterwhite. I found this from two days ago, I can’t see anything more recent. Only three young men have been referred to young offenders institutions, and few of the rest of the cases referred to crown court are in the first flush of youth.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm23y7l01v8o
If the published information that 70% of those arrested is correct still, my sympathy is limited. Involvement will result in cautions on peoples files, and they will all have a criminal record, which is surely right, whatever their age?