A 13-year-old girl recently expressed regret for her actions during this summer’s riots, where she kicked the door of a hotel housing asylum seekers. She admitted that she made a mistake and did something stupid but believes that having a criminal record for up to 10 years is too harsh of a punishment.
The girl, who cannot be named due to her age, shared her experience of feeling scared and overwhelmed when facing the police and going to court. She mentioned that she cried and saw how her parents suffered through the process with her. She emphasized that she is not a racist and regrets her actions.
Her mother also spoke out, describing the punishment as unjust and unexpected. She mentioned that they initially thought her daughter would receive a minor consequence for her actions but were surprised when she was charged with violent disorder and had to appear in court. The mother expressed frustration over the severity of the sentence and how it could impact her daughter’s future opportunities.
The mother also highlighted concerns about how this incident could affect her daughter’s career prospects, especially in roles that require high levels of trust, such as healthcare or childcare. She criticized the system for focusing on statistics and quick results rather than considering the individual circumstances of each case.
It is important to note that over 800 individuals have been brought to court following the summer riots, with nearly 400 receiving prison sentences. The Crown Prosecution Service defended their actions, stating that they carefully assess each case before pressing charges to ensure it is in the public interest.
Hampshire Constabulary reiterated that regardless of age, individuals who commit crimes will face the consequences of their actions. This case sheds light on the complexities of handling juvenile offenders and raises questions about the appropriate level of punishment for young individuals involved in criminal activities.
