Christopher was 16 when he first met Mark, the victim. Mark was 14, and was being bullied by a group of four boys in his year, one of whom happened to be Christopher's cousin, Jason. The bullying consisted mainly of extortion and pranks, and became so bad that Mark began to truant. On one occasion, after a few days' absence, the group decided to visit Mark at home. This happened to be on a day Christopher was visiting Jason. The group went to Mark's flat when his mother was at work. They persuaded him to let them in, but Christopher, older than the rest of the group, chose to wait outside.
Once inside, the group began pestering Mark to come out with them. When he refused they began to ask him for money. Again he refused. The tone changed, and they began to look for money in the flat.
In his own home, Mark decided to stand up to the group, and a scuffle broke out betwen him and Jason, as he tried to eject them. At this, the whole group atacked him, punching and kicking as he curled on the sofa.
On hearing the disturbance from outside, Christopher decided to go inside and stop the group. However, he happened to enter the lounge just as Mark managed to lash out at Jason. Seeing his cousin being struck, Christopher joined the attack with more ferocity than the rest of the group. He grabbed a wooden upright lamp, and began beating Mark around the head with it, while the rest of the group continued their attack.
When Marks mother returned home she found Mark unconscious.
He required intensive treatment, and had suffered haemorrhaging in the brain, which was immediately operated on. The permanent damage to his brain was so severe that he has had to begin learning again. He was left unable to talk, dress or feed himself. It is probable he will never walk again, and is confined to a wheelchair.
The group were arrested and charged with attempted murder. However, this was reduced to assault with intent to rob. When questioned by police, Christopher said he felt sorry for the boy, but had no remorse, and insisted that he was right to join in because Mark hit his cousin.
Only 3 of the 5 boys received custodial sentences of varying lengths, the longest of which was Christopher's, at 2 years.
Christopher served 8 months, before being conditionally released.
How does this real-life case make you feel? Are you angry with the criminal justice system, or do you feel the boys are still young and deserve a chance to rehabilitate? Perhaps you feel the reduction of the charge was too extreme, and a conviction for GBH, which carries up to 10 years, would have been more appropriate. Was Mark wrong to fight back?
This is a particularly upsetting case. Please let us know what you think by clicking on the "VERDICT" link to the right.
Readers' Responses
- 17/06/09 - Mrs K. Nurse, Leeds; "YET AGAIN, THIS IS ANOTHER CASE OF A VICTIM BEING LET DOWN BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE
system.
Christopher should have had a conviction of GBH at the very least; assault with intent to rob is a joke. Mark had the right to fight back; he was protecting his parents' home. I, for one, do not believe Christopher went in to stop the boys; he already knew his younger cousin bullied Mark, so why did he go with them to start with?
Yes, the boys are young and should have the right to rehabilitate, but in prison, for years. Mark's condition is now for life, and I don’t think our Justice System delivered justice.
I get so angry when I hear of these cases, and would like to thank justice4victims for trying to make a difference."