Back on July 1st, I blogged about the case of Dennis Ferguson, a convicted paedophile in Australia who was accused of multiple further offenses. The judge in the case dismissed all charges because “he didn’t believe every member of a jury would be able to be ‘dispassionate’ in considering Ferguson’s case due to significant adverse… Continue reading A paedophile will get his day in court
Tag: Law
The troubling state of Internet ethics
I’m sure many readers are aware of the legal hassle between Hasbro, owners of the Scrabble game trademark in North America, and the Indian developers of Scrabulous, a Scrabble rip-off on the Facebook social network site. Hasbro sued to shut down Scrabulous, alleging trademark infringement, and a week later Scrabulous was taken down for North… Continue reading The troubling state of Internet ethics
Of art and decency
I’m sure many readers are familiar with the controversies concerning art and religion. Some so-called “artists” appear to take delight in debunking religious belief and offending believers. Andres Serrano‘s “Piss Christ” is a very well-known example of the genre. Others would include Chris Ofili and his The Holy Virgin Mary, a so-called artwork depicting “a… Continue reading Of art and decency
A Peruvian Lady Godiva – NOT!
One has to laugh at the fuss in Peru over a nude model who used the national flag as a saddle. A naked model photographed using Peru’s flag as a saddle while mounted on a horse will face charges that could put her in jail for up to four years for offending patriotic symbols, the… Continue reading A Peruvian Lady Godiva – NOT!
Poor girl!
I’m truly sorry for the nine-year-old New Zealand girl who had to go to court to change her name. What’s in a name? Quite a lot if you’re called Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii. That’s the unfortunate appellation a girl was given by her parents – but now a New Zealand judge has ordered… Continue reading Poor girl!
He caused her death – but the judge can’t jail him
I’m angry and disgusted to read of the case of Ian Patterson. A district judge today criticised sentencing powers which left him unable to jail a 17-year-old youth for making a hoax call to the fire service that led to a woman’s death. Nicola Stacy, 36, from Sheffield, died last month when her car was… Continue reading He caused her death – but the judge can’t jail him
Divorce, Indian style?
I’m amused by a Reuters report of a divorce that – well, wasn’t. An Indian man who took an impersonator to court to get a divorce faces legal action after his real wife found out, lawyers said Friday. Sanjib Saha presented a woman as his wife in a lower court in the eastern city of… Continue reading Divorce, Indian style?
Is this sick, or what?
I’m horrified to read of a case of attempted necrophilia in Wisconsin – and even more horrified to read of the court shenanigans around it! Wisconsin law bans sex with dead bodies, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in reinstating charges against three men accused of digging up a corpse so one of them could… Continue reading Is this sick, or what?
Does this make a mockery of the justice system?
I’m a little taken aback by the sentence handed down to a Texas man convicted of child abuse. James Kevin Pope drew sentences for multiple offenses totaling 4,060 years in prison, to be served consecutively, and a fine of $430,000. The lengthy sentence includes the maximum life sentence for each of the sexual assaults and… Continue reading Does this make a mockery of the justice system?
New ethics law bites hard in Louisiana
I’m absolutely delighted to be able to tell you that the new ethics laws in Louisiana are biting very hard indeed. This State has long been a by-word for political corruption, nepotism and inefficiency. Newly-elected Governor Bobby Jindal campaigned on a promise of government reform, and despite a few mis-steps while he finds his feet,… Continue reading New ethics law bites hard in Louisiana