(Jordan Blackshaw, 20 and Perry Sutcliffe-Keenan, 22)
Setting up an event on Facebook for parties and small gatherings are becoming the every day norm, but on a drunken night it’s probably not a good idea to create a rioting party in your own neighborhood.
Jordan Blackshaw, 20, and Perry Sutcliffe-Keenan, 22, two young men from London, England pleaded guilty and are now facing four years behind bars for creating Facebook events in attempts to fuel riots.
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Jordan setup the “Smash Down in Northwich Town” event slated for the night of August 8th, while Perry created “The Warrington Riots” event set to take place August 9th.
The thing is nothing happened; no one rioted at either event, though police claimed it caused panic in both neighborhoods. When Perry awoke the following morning he removed the page and apologized, saying it was a bad joke.
So we must ask, does the punishment fit the crime, should these boys get four years in jail?
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British Prime Minster David Cameron believes so. He defended the tough sentencing saying it sends a clear message.
Judge Elgan Edwards QC said that Jordan committed an “evil act that happened at a time when collective insanity gripped the nation.” He went on to say “Your conduct was quite disgraceful and the title of the message you posted on Facebook chills the blood. You sought to take advantage of crime elsewhere and transpose it to the peaceful streets of Northwich. The idea revolted many right thinking members of society. No one actually turned up due to the prompt and efficient actions of police in using modern policing.”
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Civil rights groups are protesting the sentencing saying it’s not proportional with the intent of the crime. Enticing riots and illegal behavior is wrong, but should these young men be subjected to prison for four years?
People have been set free on account of more serious crimes. But did their Facebook riot event really “chills the blood” as Judge Elgan put it?
Don’t think so, a fine and community service would have been sufficient enough for these youngsters. Trying to make an example out of these two is just wasting the courts time.
