So we jailed returning jihadis.

[cromwell]

Was it Charles Dickens who wrote that the law was an ass? He was right.

[Workingman]

+1

In for 12yr 8m, out in 6yr 4m and probably much less if they go to the ECHR to argue that it is not illegal to go to Syria or to be pictured holding a gun.

[Aggers]

Was it Charles Dickens who wrote that the law was an ass? .

Yes, it was, but he wasn't the first. This is what Wikipedia has to say...

It is easy to find reference works and websites that attribute the phrase to Charles Dickens, who put it into print in Oliver Twist, 1838. When Mr. Bumble, the unhappy spouse of a domineering wife, is told in court that "...the law supposes that your wife acts under your direction", replies:

"If the law supposes that," said Mr. Bumble, squeezing his hat emphatically in both hands, "the law is a ass - a idiot".

In fact, 'the law is an ass' is from a play published by the English dramatist George Chapman in 1654 - Revenge for Honour:

Ere he shall lose an eye for such a trifle... For doing deeds of nature! I'm ashamed. The law is such an ass.

'Published by' doesn't necessarily mean 'written by'. In 1653, Chapman's play was registered, as The Parricide, or, Revenge for Honor, to fellow playwright Henry Glapthorne. Some scholars contend that the play was the work of neither gentlemen and was written around 1620.

Whoever the author was, we can be sure it wasn't Charles Dickens.

Aggers the pedant.

[Suff]

Personally I think that going to Syria and fighting on the opposite side to the UK is treason and we should treat it as such.

Sadly we can't apply the old punishment for it!

[Kaz]

I feel the same.

[pederito1]

Disgraceful, of course it is treason but why should we pay all that to keep them in jail. Surely better to not let them come back and cancel their passports so they can apply for asylum in Syria or wherever. I too would like to see some old punishments brought back like burning at the stake for child murderers.

[Aggers]

Disgraceful, of course it is treason but why should we pay all that to keep them in jail. Surely better to not let them come back and cancel their passports so they can apply for asylum in Syria or wherever. I too would like to see some old punishments brought back like burning at the stake for child murderers.

I am inclined to agree with you, Pederito, although burning at the stake iis perhaps a bit OTT.

I'd welcome the return to the practice of putting criminals in the stocks, so that we could throw rotten things at them.
The trouble is that we have listened too much to the ''Do-gooders''.

Being a multi-racial country doesn't help, either.
We used to sing, 'There'll always be an England'. There is, still, but it's not like it used to be, thanks to stupid politicians.

[Suff]

I'm sure there will always be an England. Just not ours.......