MovieChat Forums > Our Friends in the North (1999) Discussion > Why does Geordie get a life sentence...?

Why does Geordie get a life sentence...?

posted 16 years ago by Mercader79
7 replies | jump to latest

....for setting fire to a bed?
This bit always jarred with me. It's mad.

Yeah, I thought it was odd too. As far as I can see, he would either be prosecuted/fined for damage to property, or - if they were worried about his mental health - put in an institution.

[–] slcuk 16 years ago

If I remember rightly arson carried an automatic life sentence at the time as it was considered a most serious crime. His life sentence reflects the legal stipulations at the time.

[–] eamonn_keane 10 years ago

A recent case:

"R v Jacenciuk [2009] 2 CR.APP.R.(S.) 83 The appellant pleaded guilty to arson, being reckless as to whether life would be endangered. The appellant was living at a hostel for homeless men and set fire to two duvets in his dormitory whilst drunk. The appellant was of previous good character. He did not suffer from any major mental illness but had a history of chronic alcohol abuse. Sentenced to three-and-a-half years' imprisonment"

So given Geordie's previous convictions and his lack of any real mental disorder (at least according to the psych.), he could have got life. I don't know why the judge calls it "merciful", life was the maximum sentence.

[–] andyd-1 15 years ago

The maximum sentence for arson is life, for some reason the judge saw fit to pass a maximum sentence, he was portrayed as being somewhat pompous. I think it was a comment on society's lack of care for the mentally ill and homeless at the time.

[–] OneManRevolution3 15 years ago

I think the answer is simple:

"It was a new mattress..." ;)

Santa isn't real

[–] Hammerfanatic46 11 years ago

Agree completely.this was one of the few blots on an otherwise wonderful drama.I suspect the writer just got a little carried away with the "Authority bad" attitude that tends to be a viewpoint of the British Left.

In reality he would probably have been offered all sorts of help for his "problems" rather than being punished.

Gordon P. Clarkson

[–] taiaha 10 years ago

It puzzled me, initially. However, on reflection, the judge's remark that he was being 'merciful' starts to make sense. He probably recognised that Geordie was incapable of surviving by himself in 'society', and that the permissible life sentence was a way of saving him from himself.