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Dancing palace guardsman faces a spell in Colchester prison. Harsh or fair?
idlewilde
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A Grenadier Guardsman who broke strict rules by dancing on parade outside Buckingham Palace is potentially facing a 21-day prison sentence and a £1,000 fine.
Footage of the unnamed soldier performing a series of ballet-style pirouettes while on guard duty has become an internet sensation, watched by more than 1.7 million people on YouTube.
But Army top brass have reacted furiously to the video and are ready to hand down a custodial sentence.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2754857/Pirouetting-palace-guardsman-faces-three-weeks-grim-military-prison-Soldier-s-superiors-left-livid-dance-stunt.html
I'm a bit torn on this one, because his actions were harmless enough, but his expected professionalism and conduct as a guard should have been apparent.
What do you think?
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He certainly shouldn't go to prison. Just a demotion should be enough.
Prison has three elements to it as a sentence:-
1. Penalty
2. Rehabilitation
3. Safeguard of the public
Therefore two of those are relevant in this case.
Well no, but he's supposed to be guarding something. He can hardly do that if he's performing Swan Lake at the same time, can he?
This really. As harsh as it sounds discipline is vital to people who are serving in the armed forces, and the lack of it is viewed very seriously.
This kind of messing around is 'harmless' but if that's allowed to be tolerated then the line between acceptable an unacceptable becomes blurred so I guess that's why any ill discipline is treated the same.
Ok but when rapists and serial burglars are getting community service, it all seems like making an example rather than a proportionate sentence imo
anyone officially carrying a gun should be subject to harsh disciplinary measures, the potential is obvious and a clear message that fannying about when you are armed is unacceptable should be unequivocally communicated thus.
But this is modplod we are taking about. They have a completely different set of 'laws' that all service personnel have to abide by.
He's not being prosecuted or sent to prison in a civilian sense!
Its an army 'court' and an army prison.
Besides, with a careful bit of spin and charge sheet rewriting, he'll soon be properly qualified to join the A-Team
In this case I would be happy to let them remonstrate him without jail time. Jail time does seem unnecessary in the grand scheme of things. He's not a danger to society unless someone is severely aggrieved by bad dancing.
I didn't see the full clip. Did he do the Moonwalk? The Moonwalk or fake walking down stairs bit? If he did I think he should be mayor.
Ah ok thanks. I actually wondered if Colchester was a military prison after I'd made my last post. Well, if others have been given similar punishment for similar military 'crimes' or breaches then who am I to argue.
I suppose he would have known what could happen before he did his thang. In the real world it seems a bit much but I suppose, as others have said, discipline is crucial and if that's how they deal with these misdemeanours...
That is exactly what the world wanted to hear from Judge Thokozile Masipa.
Agreed. Probably outraged royalists.
Extremists? don't be silly!! Imprisoning someone in the real world for dancing would be extreme, but this chap voluntarily joined the military, knew the rules, knew how seriously the rules were taken, and knew the potential punishment. Not sure what else he expected.
I am not a massive fan of military discipline and so I would never volunteer to subject myself to it. However I do recognise that it's there for a reason and I bet this guy would acknowledge that as well.
Oh no no no no. Don't go bringing that shyte in here.
It is ridiculous. It is not "their rules, their way of life" kind of thing.
Would you say the same thing if someone was imprisoned for dancing in public in the middle of S.Arabia?
If he was in the Saudi military I might.
Don't put him in prison, just relieve him of his duties.