UK - Thomas O'Halloran murder - Greenford, West London 16/8/22

[Dotta]

I do know that whole life tarrifs are rare but what I'm hoping on is that this killing comes under "exceptional circumstances".

This rule applied to WC who killed Sarah Everard but had no serious previous convictions. He got a whole life tarrif by the exceptional circumstances of him using his police status to rape a kill a women.

I'm dearly hoping that exceptional circumstances are used in the murder of a 87 year old disabled man, on a scooter by a healthy carrear criminal.

It is certainly frightening for vulnerable disabled and elderly people.
They might feel afraid to venture outside, making their homes a prison for them.

As a recidivist he should get the highest possible sentence.

It was not the gang related crime, but cowardly attack on the most vulnerable for a few pence stolen.

Is he a drug addict?
Desperate for money?
Why did he attack in his neighbourhood full of cctv in broad daylight?

MOO

 

[Whitehall 1212]

I do know that whole life tarrifs are rare but what I'm hoping on is that this killing comes under "exceptional circumstances".

This rule applied to WC who killed Sarah Everard but had no serious previous convictions. He got a whole life tarrif by the exceptional circumstances of him using his police status to rape a kill a women.

I'm dearly hoping that exceptional circumstances are used in the murder of a 87 year old disabled man, on a scooter by a healthy carrear criminal.

You are quite correct that a whole life tariff does provide for exceptional circumstances and that was the basis of WC's whole life tariff.

However, the exceptionality in WC's case was because of the threat to democratic society by a serving police officer abusing his powers, by means of deception to enable kidnapping, rape and murder, attempted destruction and concealment of SE's body. It was adjudged to amount to the similar impact that terrorism has on democratic society, and which carries a whole life tariff.

Rather than looking at the shocking murder of Thomas O'Halloran in isolation compare it to all the other shocking cases where vulnerable children or adults have been killed, sometimes following months of awful abuse, when they have felt terrorised. The killers of these victims do not receive whole life tariffs.

Life tariffs are reserved only for aggravated murder that impacts far and wide, e.g. multiple (serial/spree) serial killers, terrorist murderers, politically motivated killers, those who are on life licence for murder (previous conviction) and now killers whose offence is adjudged to have undermined democratic society (exceptional circumstance).

You'll probably find this article really informative. It also discusses WC's life tariff and the reasons for it.

The difference between a whole life tariff and life sentence in the UK

Discover the difference between a whole life tariff and life sentence. Things you didn't know about life imprisonment in the UK.

www.stuartmillersolicitors.co.uk

 

[Whitehall 1212]

It is certainly frightening for vulnerable disabled and elderly people.
They might feel afraid to venture outside, making their homes a prison for them.

As a recidivist he should get the highest possible sentence.

It was not the gang related crime, but cowardly attack on the most vulnerable for a few pence stolen.

Is he a drug addict?
Desperate for money?
Why did he attack in his neighbourhood full of cctv in broad daylight?

MOO

If found guilty then LB will be sentenced in accordance with sentencing guidelines. Previous convictions, unless there is a previous one for murder will not be part of the consideration

With LB's known offending history and that the majority of acquisitive crime is driven by drug misuse, then I feel it is quite likely that LB has a history of drug misuse. LB's face appears far more gaunt than his police photo from 2011, which is another possible indicator.

 

[Dotta]

If found guilty then LB will be sentenced in accordance with sentencing guidelines. Previous convictions, unless there is a previous one for murder will not be part of the consideration

With LB's known offending history and that the majority of acquisitive crime is driven by drug misuse, then I feel it is quite likely that LB has a history of drug misuse. LB's face appears far more gaunt than his police photo from 2011, which is another possible indicator.

I see.

So it means that in order to speak of recidivism, the offender's second offense must be similar to the offense for which the conviction was made, and not to any previously committed offense.

I thought any offence counts.

Too bad!!!


MOO

 

[Whitehall 1212]

I see.

So it means that in order to speak of recidivism, the offender's second offense must be similar to the offense for which the conviction was made, and not to any previously committed offense.

I thought any offence counts.

Too bad!!!

No. You have misunderstood.

I am referring to the sentencing guidelines for murder ONLY. There is only one sentence for murder - LIFE.

However, apart from full life tariffs, sentences will have a minimum term in prison before parole can be applied for. If released the offender is on 'life licence', which means they can be recalled to prison at any time.

I am not considering sentencing for other offences, where previous like convictions may be considered when sentencing, e.g. someone convicted of burglary may receive a longer sentence if they have previous convictions for burglary.

 

[Dotta]

No. You have misunderstood.

I am referring to the sentencing guidelines for murder ONLY. There is only one sentence for murder - LIFE.

However, apart from full life tariffs, sentences will have a minimum term in prison before parole can be applied for. If released the offender is on 'life licence', which means they can be recalled to prison at any time.

I am not considering sentencing for other offences, where previous like convictions may be considered when sentencing, e.g. someone convicted of burglary may receive a longer sentence if they have previous convictions for burglary.

It is so strange.

Common sense suggests that a person who commits crime after leaving prison, should never be released again.

Recidivism shows that such a person is beyond rehabilitation.
Or impulsive or not being able to predict the consequences of their actions.

MOO

 

[Whitehall 1212]

It is so strange.

Common sense suggests that a person who commits crime after leaving prison, should never be released again.

Recidivism shows that such a person is beyond rehabilitation.
Or impulsive or not being able to predict the consequences of their actions.

MOO

Many reasons that it's not lock up and throw away the key.

1. Prison capacity is bulging at the seams

2. The principle of punishment and rehabilitation....although rehabilitation in prison is non-existent due to staffing levels and funding. I believe excellent rehab services can be effective....it has to be a holistic approach throughout society though...police, prisons, probation service, education, housing, employment etc.

If an offender can't read and write, they can't search on a computer to find out information to get help/support, they can't fill a form in to apply for benefit, housing, education, employment. They are doomed to the society of the underclass who need to offend to live. Yet the predominant attitude of 'we're not helping offending scum' only serves to keep them in their pit of despair and their actions impact on us all.

Most acquisitive crime is drug related. de-criminalise drugs, treat it as an addiction and provide appropriate healthcare, remove the key driver of organised crime, assist offenders to exit their chaotic hand to mouth lives and find stability in the outside world, and over time there will be huge change for the better.

This prospect is far too radical for most, because most are protected from the harsh reality of criminal conduct.....but I've been involved in schemes that did just this......so I know it can be successful.

3. Differentiation between offence categories. We can't treat murderers, the same as rapists, the same as burglars.....the punishment has to reflect the crime.

 

[LouTennant]

You are quite correct that a whole life tariff does provide for exceptional circumstances and that was the basis of WC's whole life tariff.

However, the exceptionality in WC's case was because of the threat to democratic society by a serving police officer abusing his powers, by means of deception to enable kidnapping, rape and murder, attempted destruction and concealment of SE's body. It was adjudged to amount to the similar impact that terrorism has on democratic society, and which carries a whole life tariff.

Rather than looking at the shocking murder of Thomas O'Halloran in isolation compare it to all the other shocking cases where vulnerable children or adults have been killed, sometimes following months of awful abuse, when they have felt terrorised. The killers of these victims do not receive whole life tariffs.

Life tariffs are reserved only for aggravated murder that impacts far and wide, e.g. multiple (serial/spree) serial killers, terrorist murderers, politically motivated killers, those who are on life licence for murder (previous conviction) and now killers whose offence is adjudged to have undermined democratic society (exceptional circumstance).

You'll probably find this article really informative. It also discusses WC's life tariff and the reasons for it.

The difference between a whole life tariff and life sentence in the UK

Discover the difference between a whole life tariff and life sentence. Things you didn't know about life imprisonment in the UK.

www.stuartmillersolicitors.co.uk

Thanks for in informative reply. My heart wants a whole tarrif but if found guilty I know it will probably be a very long sentence.

He looks gaunt so will have some mental heath factors no doubt.

I hope he passes in prison. I usually try to have some compassion but in this instance I can't.

 

[Skigh]

London's Irish community gathers to pay tribute to Thomas O'Halloran

They commemorated the 87-year-old, who was originally from County Clare, with prayers and Irish music, and local musicians played several songs, including Now I'm Easy by the Dubliners.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Members of the Irish community gathered to pay tribute this morning to Thomas O’Halloran, who was stabbed to death as he rode his mobility scooter in London on Tuesday.

More than 100 people, many wearing sports jerseys, came together on Cayton Road in Greenford, near to where Mr O’Halloran was killed just five days ago, for a musical tribute to the ‘loving’ busker.

They commemorated the 87-year-old with prayers and Irish music, and local musicians played several songs, including Now I'm Easy by the Dubliners.

 

[Ched]

man accused of repeatedly stabbing an elderly mobility scooter rider has appeared at the Old Bailey.
Lee Byer, 44, is charged with murdering Thomas O'Halloran, 87, in Greenford, west London, in what a prosecutor described as a "vicious attack".
Mr O'Halloran was found with multiple stab wounds between Runneymede Gardens and Welland Gardens on 16 August.
Mr Byer, of no fixed address, is set to appear at the same court for a plea hearing on 8 November.
He is also charged with possessing a large knife. Judge Mark Lucraft QC remanded him into custody.

Greenford: Mobility scooter murder accused appears in court

Lee Byer is accused of killing 87-year-old Thomas O'Halloran as he rode his scooter in west London.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Skigh]

Man, 44, remanded in custody accused of stabbing Thomas O'Halloran, 87

Lee Byer, 44, appeared at the Old Bailey today accused of fatally stabbing Thomas O'Halloran in the neck and chest in Greenford, west London, on August 16.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Byer was arrested at his mother's house on Allenby Road, Southall, west London, on 18 August and was later charged with murder and possessing an offensive weapon.

Wearing a grey prison-issued tracksuit, he appeared via video link from HMP Belmarsh and spoke only to confirm his name.

He sat with his elbows on his knees and a facemask in his hand as he waited for the hearing to start.

Prosecutor Louise Oakley said: 'The defendant is charged with the murder of Thomas O'Halloran on 16 August of this year.

'The facts of that case are that shortly after 4 o'clock on the afternoon of 16 August a 999 call was received by police.

'The caller of that call had discovered the deceased travelling in his motorised mobility scooter in a passageway.

'At that time the deceased was able to tell that individual that he had been stabbed although it was obvious that he had sustained a number of stab wounds to his body.

'Police arrived within a matter of minutes and found that the deceased had collapsed and was being assisted by various members of the public.