THEY HAVEN`T A CLUEDO

Sometimes it`s the small stories, perhaps the little read local stories that indicate more accurately than headline news where we`re going  as a country with regard to law and order.  Below are three such snippets.

Speed awareness courses are run by the local constabulary offering particular offenders the paid for opportunity to avoid three points on their license.  Even with a money making scheme like this it does offer those successfully completing the exercise an equal opportunity for rich and poor alike to buy their way out of three penalty points. I`m sure the Labour leader would approve of such a philosophy. 

It has now been established by those in horsehair headcovering that racially aggravated doesn`t quite mean racially aggravated. Irish, Scots, Welsh and in the New Year at Somerset Magistrates` Court Polish will be the context of the evidence of a racially aggravated offence.  This is a classic example of the law acting like a giant amoeba moving ever so slowly absorbing all in its path.  The extended criteria of what constitutes domestic violence is another example. From the House of Commons Library note 10/02/2015   SN/HA/6337

The new definition of domestic violence now reads:
Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse:
 psychological
 physical
 sexual
 financial
 emotional
Controlling behaviour is: a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.
Coercive behaviour is: an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.”
This definition, which is not a legal definition, includes so called ‘honour’ based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage, and is clear that victims are not confined to one gender or ethnic group.11

 And finally  Cambridgeshire Police are looking for amateur unpaid detectives. Where are you Professor Plum, Colonel Mustard and Miss Scarlett?