9.

Custodial sentences for non-violent crime?


Tom was sentenced to 30 months in prison for innappropriately placed artwork on railway carriages, on October 10 2008. Also sentenced were Darren Austin, 18 months, William Setzdempsey, 15 months, and Joshua Piehl, 12 months. Wildly exaggerated claims of the cost of repair were punted about in the papers, fuelled by the Transport Polices’ claim of £60,000.

After four months of waiting for an appeal, this was finally heard at the Royal Courts of (In)justice last Tuesday. After a few mumbled words Tom’s sentence was reduced to 20 months, and the other three had their appeals rejected.

A few days later Tom was found dead in his cell.


I dont think i need to comment on this at all. There has been nothing in the media about Tom's death. But i do remember almost every paper in England having a feature on these 'lawless vandals' costing the public so much (when in reality the cost of incarcerating them costs the state more than the damage ever could). The worst part about this case being the statement from the convicting officer Dc Peter Thrush,

“The court has recognised the seriousness of the offences, the risk these young men take with their lives and the cost to the train companies and public of south London.

“I would rather see people go to court than go to the morgue.”


It is my belief that an unjust system has subjected these guys to routine abuse, torture and humiliation to the point where one of them had taken enough. Would this have happened if they had been given community sentences…? Somehow I doubt it. Furthermore, The Royal Courts of Justice had an opportunity to right this wrong… and they didn’t.




Another own goal for the english justice system. Rest In Peace Skeam, my thoughts go out to his family and friends. Something must be done, so we can live to see tommorow.