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06/09/2012
"Courageous" Burglar Judge To Be Investigated
A judge who described a drug-addicted serial thief as "courageous" is to be investigated by the judicial watchdog.
Judge Peter Bowers reportedly made the remark while sentencing 26-year-old Richard Rochford for burglary.
The Teesside Crown Court judge also said he thought that prison did criminals "little good".
His remarks sparked criticism, with Prime Minister David Cameron saying burglars were "cowards" whose "hateful crime" violated victims.
The judge reportedly told the offender on Tuesday: "It takes a huge amount of courage, as far as I can see, for somebody to burgle somebody's house. I wouldn't have the nerve."
A spokesperson for the Office for Judicial Complaints said it had "received a number of complaints in relation to comments that His Honour Judge Bowers made in relation to a case in Teesside Crown Court on 4th September 2012".
"Those complaints will be considered under the Judicial Discipline Regulations in the usual way. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage," the spokesperson said.
(H)
Judge Peter Bowers reportedly made the remark while sentencing 26-year-old Richard Rochford for burglary.
The Teesside Crown Court judge also said he thought that prison did criminals "little good".
His remarks sparked criticism, with Prime Minister David Cameron saying burglars were "cowards" whose "hateful crime" violated victims.
The judge reportedly told the offender on Tuesday: "It takes a huge amount of courage, as far as I can see, for somebody to burgle somebody's house. I wouldn't have the nerve."
A spokesperson for the Office for Judicial Complaints said it had "received a number of complaints in relation to comments that His Honour Judge Bowers made in relation to a case in Teesside Crown Court on 4th September 2012".
"Those complaints will be considered under the Judicial Discipline Regulations in the usual way. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage," the spokesperson said.
(H)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
