Wellingtonia felled by idiots!

[Stubby]

Just now, EdwardC said:

The last three words ...to a fine.

Of how much though ?

[Stubby]

Just now, EdwardC said:

How much? As much as the Court sees fit. There's no limit so don't look for one it's not there.

It does not say unlimited .

[Stubby]

2 minutes ago, EdwardC said:

It's quite clear. The beak can impose 'a fine', a fine of their choosing, whatever that may be. Where do you see the limit on the level of fine that can be imposed. There is no set limit  that's why it's unlimited. 

OK . So why don't they clobber the perpetrators then ?  . Coz clearly they don't unlimited or not . 

[Stubby]

Just now, EdwardC said:

Cant answer that.

Don't misunderstand me Edward , I am not on the side of the scrotes that transgress . It just needs making clearer and then following up on what the punishment is .  If there was a fixed penalty ( a lot higher than is being dished out currently ) then it might serve as a deterrent .  At the moment " a fine " does not seem to be cutting it ( pardon the pun )

[Stubby]

2 minutes ago, EdwardC said:

Even when the fine was limited to £20,000, large fines were rarely imposed.

So . A fixed penalty , per tree  of bonkers money could be the answer .  Its not ambiguous or open to interpretation . Its X amount no quibble .  

[felixthelogchopper]

The easiest answer is a proceeds of crime order, ie if their profits are increased by X then take that away on top of the fine and criminal record.

[Rough Hewn]

My sister in law worked for a tree firm in London many years ago.
The other secretary wrote Rd instead of Av .
Twenty mature London planes felled.
£20k fine per tree.
Instant bankruptcy.
20+ staff on there arses.
[emoji51]

[AHPP]

How much? As much as the Court sees fit. There's no limit so don't look for one it's not there.

There are currently 4303 public and general acts and 78,949 statutory instruments on the books (before any devolved stuff, common law or euro law). Are you sure?

[Adam M]

Thanks Edward, I can see your workings. You might be right. I had this discussion with a judge in the Magistrates a few weeks ago and he told me I was wrong about his ability to only fine up to £20k. I didn't want to upset him so agreed to disagree. 

[Gary Prentice]

2 minutes ago, Adam M said:

Thanks Edward, I can see your workings. You might be right. I had this discussion with a judge in the Magistrates a few weeks ago and he told me I was wrong about his ability to only fine up to £20k. I didn't want to upset him so agreed to disagree. 

So how much did he fine?