This remission thing always seemed arse-about-face to me. Why reduce for good behaviour rather than extend for bad? But to extend would mean further court appearances, so I guess it makes sense.

Everyone knows the remission rules so it probably works. It’s a bit like taking away all your child’s sweets when you both know half will be returned if they toe the line.

Of course, if someone receives a fine rather than a prison sentence, there’s little chance of a rebate if they behave themselves.

Ah, but I’m advocating the legalisation of drugs, not the breaking of current laws.

My criticisms on the Doherty case are really based around futility of the current prison & justice system in that there seems to be absolutely no point in sentencing someone to 3 months and letting them serve just one.

I was brought up to believe you don’t threaten someone with something you’re not prepared to carry out. If I ever said to someone, do that again & I’ll arrest you, I made sure if they did it again they were nicked, for the same reason.

May I refer you to your excellent article entitled ‘The Biggie’. It strikes me that it’s almost by chance that people aren’t in prison for possession of 20 Silk Cut or for having a bottle of vodka shoved down their trousers. And those using drugs would be happily swaning about on the outside, tutting at these naughty people incarcerated for their evil doings.

Okay, this man is a tosser, but is that reason enough to feel he needs punishing?

Yeah, probably.