“Liam Stacey – a 21-year-old student – was recently sentenced by a District Judge (Magistrates’ Court) to 56 days imprisonment for his tweets in relation to Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba (pictured). The Guardian reported that Stacey entered a guilty plea to a charge of racially aggravated disorderly behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress contrary to Crime and Disorder Act 1998 s.31 (as read with Public Order Act 1986 s.4A)”
Legal Week, 11th April 2012
Source: www.legalweek.com
I don’t know very much about the law, so I wonder if anyone can help me with this question….
If a sentence is generally considered to be unjust, excessive etc. and it becomes by default a new case law, then how can that be put right?
If the public think it sets a bad precedent that should be rectified, then how?
The European Commissioner for Human Rights said the sentence in the Liam Stacey case was wrong and excessive. It is deeply controversial in this country too.
So then, how can it be stopped from becoming case law?