Dobbie sentencing hearing

This section was setup in August 2018 in order to move the existing related discussions from other sections into this new section to group them together, and separate from the other CH-related topics.

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J.R.
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Re: Dobbie sentencing hearing

Post by J.R. »

Great Plum wrote: Mon Jun 17, 2019 11:27 am Regarding Dobbie still being a priest or not, I take the following direct from Facebook from Joshua Bell (who will be priested shortly)

‘at the time of Dobbie's arrest in 2016, he was teaching at Shrewsbury School. Once charged, he would have been suspended pending the investigation - and at that time he resigned. He is now listed as retired, holding no license or permission to officiate.

The usual course of events, I believe, would be that once convicted he would face a Clergy Discipline Measure in the ecclesiastical courts - with the result usually being a temporary or permanent ban on ministering.

However, it may be that this is waived, as his place on the sexual offenders' register brings with it a permanent ban on ministry, thus making a separate judgement unnecessary.’
Thanks for that update Matt.

Good to know Joshua still keeps his finger on the pulse.

I well remember meeting him on a visit to CH some years ago.
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marty
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Re: Dobbie sentencing hearing

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Just to let you know that Dobbie's sentence is being reviewed by the Attorney General.

If you follow the link below and click on the updated spreadsheet dated 18 June 2019 it's number 341.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistic ... ls#history
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J.R.
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Re: Dobbie sentencing hearing

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marty wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2019 3:05 pm Just to let you know that Dobbie's sentence is being reviewed by the Attorney General.

If you follow the link below and click on the updated spreadsheet dated 18 June 2019 it's number 341.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistic ... ls#history
Thanks Marty. Will be interesting !
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Re: Dobbie sentencing hearing

Post by sejintenej »

marty wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2019 3:05 pm Just to let you know that Dobbie's sentence is being reviewed by the Attorney General.

If you follow the link below and click on the updated spreadsheet dated 18 June 2019 it's number 341.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistic ... ls#history
Thanks Marty.
I see that there seem to be 350 or so cases between 17 December 2018 and 17 June 2019. 700 cases a year where even the AG accepts that the sentencing by crown Courts needs review! So many that it makes me wonder about the training of such judges. Saying that reminds me of an Australian Family Court Court judge who seems regularly to raise the newspapers' ire about too short sentences. On top of that another friend was a UK magistrate who commented on sentencing.
Seems to me that I would be a better sentencer with the whip, bread and water and infinite sentences - a quick end to child molestation and just about all crime. Obviously not my world where rape gets a slap on the wrist.
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Re: Dobbie sentencing hearing

Post by richardb »

These are all the cases the A-G has been asked to review. It only takes one person to initiate a review and many fall by the wayside on full consideration.

The number actually referred to the Court of Appeal is about one tenth of that.

Sentencing is nowadays done on a grid system, so limited room for error. And also limited room for discretion.
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Re: Dobbie sentencing hearing

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sejintenej wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2019 5:38 pm
marty wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2019 3:05 pm Just to let you know that Dobbie's sentence is being reviewed by the Attorney General.

If you follow the link below and click on the updated spreadsheet dated 18 June 2019 it's number 341.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistic ... ls#history
Seems to me that I would be a better sentencer with the whip, bread and water and infinite sentences - a quick end to child molestation and just about all crime. Obviously not my world where rape gets a slap on the wrist.
Not probably the best place to debate this, but I don't believe that a simple rule of making sentencing tougher would be anything like as effective as we'd all like to think. It's been said many times on this forum that abusers often aren't deterred by the prospect of incarceration. The urge is too strong. The death penalty didn't deter pickpockets in gallows crowds way back when. And it's not as if there's no crime in death penalty states in the US.

The reality is that the vast majority of us are not attracted to children in the first place. The deterrent effect of strong sentencing or "slaps on the wrist" doesn't come into it.
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Re: Dobbie sentencing hearing

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max_ratcliffe wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2019 12:59 pm
sejintenej wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2019 5:38 pm
marty wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2019 3:05 pm Just to let you know that Dobbie's sentence is being reviewed by the Attorney General.

If you follow the link below and click on the updated spreadsheet dated 18 June 2019 it's number 341.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistic ... ls#history
Seems to me that I would be a better sentencer with the whip, bread and water and infinite sentences - a quick end to child molestation and just about all crime. Obviously not my world where rape gets a slap on the wrist.
Not probably the best place to debate this, but I don't believe that a simple rule of making sentencing tougher would be anything like as effective as we'd all like to think. It's been said many times on this forum that abusers often aren't deterred by the prospect of incarceration. The urge is too strong. The death penalty didn't deter pickpockets in gallows crowds way back when. And it's not as if there's no crime in death penalty states in the US.

The reality is that the vast majority of us are not attracted to children in the first place. The deterrent effect of strong sentencing or "slaps on the wrist" doesn't come into it.
I would agree that prison is probably not a deterrent. But the longer he's locked up the less damage he can do. It appears that's all we can hope for.
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Re: Dobbie sentencing hearing

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And regardless of how long he's locked up, if he ever leaves prison he will be on the Sex Offenders' Register for life. All aspects of life for people on it are highly restricted and monitored. An RSO (registered sex offender) who leaves prison is nowhere near as "free" as someone who leaves prison after a stretch for any other offence, except those on life licence. Restrictions go far beyond the obvious like not working/living with children. There is scrutiny over relationships, employment, the police coming unannounced at any time to search their house/computer, having to notify the police if they stay at an address other than their home address for more than 7 days, having to notify bank cards and passport details, vehicle details, changes of name or address, new visible characteristics like scars, tattoos, glasses, etc., having to notify if they are leaving the UK (and then pooing bricks that the police might have notified the destination country's border control and getting turned back on arrival).

Absolutely it will not stop them from offending, but it will make it somewhat harder for them to do so. Some criminologists argue that the extent of the SOR (it used to be just an annual check-in, changes of address/passport, and foreign travel lasting more than 3 days, and has been beefed up repeatedly over the years) drives offenders deeper underground, others believe that it is essential for public protection.
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Re: Dobbie sentencing hearing

Post by max_ratcliffe »

marty wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2019 1:50 pm
I would agree that prison is probably not a deterrent. But the longer he's locked up the less damage he can do. It appears that's all we can hope for.
We are in furious agreement there. Reports on this forum suggest that he has not shown any sort of remorse. His assault of Husband's victim was the most callous act imaginable.
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Re: Dobbie sentencing hearing

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Otter wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2019 3:10 pm And regardless of how long he's locked up, if he ever leaves prison he will be on the Sex Offenders' Register for life. All aspects of life for people on it are highly restricted and monitored.

<>

Absolutely it will not stop them from offending, but it will make it somewhat harder for them to do so. Some criminologists argue that the extent of the SOR (it used to be just an annual check-in, changes of address/passport, and foreign travel lasting more than 3 days, and has been beefed up repeatedly over the years) drives offenders deeper underground, others believe that it is essential for public protection.
Very interesting insight, Otter. Obviously based on a detailed knowledge of the system. Are you a criminologist yourself?
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Re: Dobbie sentencing hearing

Post by richardb »

They now have specialist multi agency teams for nonces (MAPPA). They turn up unexpectedly and check phones etc.

Being on the noncey boy register is no easy ride nowadays.
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Re: Dobbie sentencing hearing

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max_ratcliffe wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2019 3:30 pm Very interesting insight, Otter. Obviously based on a detailed knowledge of the system. Are you a criminologist yourself?
Not a legal expert, but I used to work for the Probation Service and encountered a number of these kinds of people in person.

Now I work in animal rescue. Much nicer clients!
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Re: Dobbie sentencing hearing

Post by AMP »

Any updates on the Appeal concerning Dobbie's lenient sentence?
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Re: Dobbie sentencing hearing

Post by LHA »

AMP wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:45 pm Any updates on the Appeal concerning Dobbie's lenient sentence?
Sadly

,GD,Lewes,12/06/2019,Indecent assault on boy (under 16),Complete,Not Referred,N/A,12 years’ imprisonment,N/A
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Re: Dobbie sentencing hearing

Post by bakunin »

LHA wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 10:18 pm
Sadly

,GD,Lewes,12/06/2019,Indecent assault on boy (under 16),Complete,Not Referred,N/A,12 years’ imprisonment,N/A
What does this mean? That the appeal has not been referred?
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