Andy Ramblings

I was going to start this, by saying it was a bleak Thursday morning, but it wasn't, it was quite sunny, It was a day for which a number of people had been looking forward to, with trepidation, I guess, as the justice system can be a bit fickle. I went along to the magistrates court, to be with some very good friends, to offer support. Rachel North and Dan who were both victims of FJL.

To quote from Rachel.

' I would like to thank everyone who has supported me - my husband, family, friends, other bloggers, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. It has been a difficult year for me and Lowde's other victims. However, as she has said that she is going to appeal, it is not over yet, so I have no further comment to make''.

What was more interesting was what the judge said about harassing over the internet, was that this is worse than if one was to harrase you via a mobile phone, phone, silent call or via e-mail. A blog is a public place, I would say it would be akin to harrassing someone in the street, with a megaphone where everyone can hear what you are saying. But I guess that's not as bad, as people will only hear it once, but on a blog, that is searchable, some employer is doing a search on you, and finds this kind of post, what is their opinion?  Seriously, I'm glad that the judge said the harassing via the internet is far worse!

I am very happy for everyone who was affected, I do hope that they can get on with their live, business with out worrying about FJL.. She was given a mother of all ASBOs

 

Lowde, described in court as a serial harasser with previous convictions, and numerous victims, was yesterday given a restraining order,which prevents her from contacting me directly or indirectly, or writing or commenting about me in any medium. This restraining order will remain in place until it is ordered to be changed by a Judge, so it can be life-long. The separate post-conviction ASBO prevents Lowde from harassing her previous legal-aid defence team, the prosecuting lawyers, the investigating police, my father, and well over a dozen of her other victims. This will remain in place for 5 years, or until it is changed or revoked following any appeal.

 

Once we left the court, there was much rejoicing, and well, my first experience of Sushi, fab food, maybe not the raw fish, but it was great!

That's the FJL story but to rest, she is down for 6months, if she breaches the ASBO, it will be to the high court, and well, many more years in the slammer.

Everyone calls them speed cameras, but the local authorities would much prefer they had the name of Safety Cameras, Why one would ask would they want to give it that name I wouldn't want to know why, but I think it's something to do with not having so many accidents but I'm very sure their main agenda is to fleece car owners.
Oh by they way this is what they look like over here in the UK, they also have a very catchy name.
So with out further ado... here's the GATSO. An alternative meaning is Gobby and Totally Stupid Officer Which I have to think is also pretty apt.
But, the problem is that all the system does is take a picture of you gettin' away and if your fast enough, it might not, but so if that happens, they now have Version 2 of the GATSO one that you can't get away from. In fact it's so good that it will blow you and your car way. Click link below to see it... Read More

This poor gnome is in a bit of a pickle, by whom I here you ask? yep, it's in a pickle from the old bill its self. (The Police). Ok, it's not the gnome its self, it's the owner who is in trouble.
You see it's disturbing the neighbour(s) a bit, well one neighbour who happens to be a retired member of her majesties constabulary how happens to be trying to sell his house. No doubt to sun of his retirement in the sunny version of England, yep that's Costa del Crime? or is it Costa Brava or somewhere similar. Where there are more English that Spandiards.
Anyway, the owner, a certain Mr MacKillop.
The local bobbies decided that they should server notice to him at a very social hour of mid-night!
Why they couldn't have done it during they day, like tea time, when all good serving English person will be having their cuppa I don't know.

Mr MacKillop, 46, was woken in the night by two officers who warned him that the gnome was offensive to his neighbours.

The notice, under the Protection From Harassment Act 1997, also accuses Mr MacKillop of intimidating potential buyers of Mr McLean's £209,000 cottage.

Mr McLean has told officers that the garden gnome, which comes complete with police dog and solar light, was in an "annoying position".
Mr MacKillop denied having harassed house-hunters viewing his neighbour's property.

Mr MacKillop, a marine surveyor at Devonport Dockyard, said: "When you hear a knock at the door at quarter to midnight you don't expect to be served with that.

Source

All I can say, is there has been a wee bit of :

• A: Abuse of Police powers (Mid-night for some really baddy, not over a Gnome)
• B: I would like to see this going to a court!

There you go, No time to catch really thieves, just people with Solar powered lights that happen to be a Policeman and his doggie!