Daughter of WWII pilot convicted of assault... reprimanding teenager who 'vandalised war memorial'

The Daily Mail (U.K.) ^ | July 10, 2008 | Luke Salkeld

[Stoat]

The daughter of a Second World War RAF pilot who reprimanded a teenager who she accused of vandalising a war memorial has been convicted of assault

(edit)

But Mrs Lake was arrested after giving a boy, whom she believed to be the ringleader, a talking-to and a 'cuff round the ear'.

She tackled him after she saw at least one youth riding a BMX bike through freshly-laid flower beds.

Magistrates heard that when she grabbed his shirt collar, he said: 'That's assault'.

(edit)

'I lost my temper in frustration after two years of trying to get something done and immediately the police are after me. It's ridiculous.'
 

(edit)

The trial - estimated to have cost taxpayers more than £100,000 - earlier heard how Mrs Lake was surrounded by up to 25 jeering youths by the memorial....
 

She told how the gang surrounded her, pushed her and shouted: 'You can't touch us, we're 15, we can do what the f*** we like.'
 

(edit)

Former serviceman Reg Hall, 78, said: 'It's disgusting that the vandalism has been going on at the memorial for eight years and nobody has stopped it.
 

'Julie is a hero for trying to take a stand. We are all proud of her.'

[Stoat]

My apologies for the severe editing of this article, which was done in order to remain in compliance with Free Republic posting rules for articles from The Daily Mail.  Please click on the original article link to read the full story....I had to cut away quite a bit of it in order to be able to post here, so you'll be missing  a significant amount of the story if you don't.

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Julie Lake has been convicted of assaulting the boy near a remembrance cross last year

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Also...the official Police website carries only the statement from the "yout's" mother:

Avon and Somerset Constabulary - Woman found guilty of assault on child (Mangotsfield)

In a statement she said: "I am absolutely disgusted that the good character our 15 year old son and his friends have been brought into question during an incident in which they were the victims.

"Reports suggesting that the children were 'thugs' and misbehaving are far from the truth.
 

(edit)

Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Tunks said: "Although we welcome support from community-mindful people we can not condone anyone taking the law into their own hands.
 

[Stoat]

I’m not sure if this is appropriate for a “Military History” ping, but I thought that you might be interested in this regardless.

[norraad]

...law into their own hands.

The trick and skill of it is to do it in subrosa fashion.

chow

[The_Media_never_lie]

Could she not request a jury trial? I don’t believe a jury would convict.....

[clamper1797]

The little turd got off VERY light ... had I been there ....

[Stoat]

Could she not request a jury trial? I don’t believe a jury would convict.....

I apologize, I'm no expert on Crown law and whether a jury trial would be possible in such a case.

Perhaps our friends Manc or Jabbermog might know?

[indcons]

Probably not but thanks for the ping, Stoat.

[jbwbubba]

Somewhere Churchill weeps

[Hans]

Mothers and their wretched children.

[Lurker]

She told how the gang surrounded her, pushed her and shouted: 'You can't touch us, we're 15, we can do what the f*** we like.'

L

[Gamecock]

***a ‘cuff round the ear’***

Is that English for whopped him up side the head?

[Doctor Raoul]

In a statement she said: "I am absolutely disgusted that the good character our 15 year old son and his friends have been brought into question during an incident in which they were the victims.

This cow should have been taken to the stockyards long ago.

[stevio]

A new Margaret Thatcher in the making?

[Liberty Valance]

Thank you Mrs. Lake. You did the right thing.

[Ranger Warrior]

I hope that the kindness of upstanding Brits will contribute to her defence fund. In an earlier era, these hooligans would have been horse whipped. This is dispicable, and I’m certain that the brats will be their undoing.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

[TADSLOS]

It’s more interesting to note who is not mentioned by name(s) in the story. Are these youths or yuts?

[Stoat]

A new Margaret Thatcher in the making?

It appears that the Constabulary have recognized Mrs. Lake's Thatcheresque honor and strength and have done their utmost to beat it into the ground.  People will look at this story and say "this is what I'll get if I dare to stand up to Evil".

Very sad all 'round.

[Stoat]

***a ‘cuff round the ear’***

Is that English for whopped him up side the head?

I believe so, although no injuries were reported that I can find any reference to.

 

***a ‘cuff round the ear’***

Is that English for whopped him up side the head?

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Events like this are so common, it is making me wonder if the police are intentionally trying to irritate the public so much that they revolt?

People can only take so much crime before they take the law into their own hands. And while they often fail as individuals, if the police persecute them for this, they will band together in vigilante organizations.

And this might be just what the police want. Vigilantes are under no ridiculous constraints against criminals. They can even execute them if they want, without a judge or some namby-pamby politician or bureaucrat intervening.

Just yesterday the English government decided that burglary should no longer be subject to arrest. Well, how about hanging?

As soon as vigilantism starts, it will be happening all over Britain.