Friday 8 January 2010

Does The Punishment Fit The Crime?

the man was reportedly caught driving a red Ferrari Testarossa at 137km/h (85mph) through a village, and was handed down a record speeding fine of $290,000 (£180,000) by a court, the motorist was clocked speeding 57km/h (35mph) faster than the limit, according to the cantonal court in St Gallen, eastern Switzerland, "The accused ignored elementary traffic rules with a powerful vehicle out of a pure desire for speed," the court said in its judgement, I guess if the vehicle had been a 'normal' salon car it would have been less, so I guess also if a career criminal who had amassed huge wealth by his actions, they too would means tested to make the punishment fit the crime? so to sum up do not speed in Switzerland if you are a millionaire! contrast this with Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole who has been found guilty of driving at 104mph in a 50mph zone in south-west London, the player, from Godalming, Surrey, was caught speeding in his Lamborghini on the A3 in Kingston just after midday on 17 November 2008, sentence yet to be announced, or, a police officer who was caught driving at 98mph in a 50mph zone claimed the speed limit was not enforceable because the signs were not lit, Sgt Craig Nicholas Jones, an organised crime officer with North Wales Police, was taking a prisoner from Colwyn Bay to Caernarfon when he was stopped, the 40-year-old denied speeding but was was convicted by Llandudno magistrates, His 90 day driving ban, along with £500 fine and £1,000 costs, have been lifted pending an appeal at crown court, unlit speed signs - must remember that one!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did you see this?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/07/2787603.htm

PattayaStan said...

Dear Dulcify, many thanks for the link, but I could not find the article, even when I went to the ABC search engine and typed in 2010/01/07/2787603, but once again many thanks, best regards, Stan and Diana.