Judge slams 'no comment' police interviews

12:10pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News By Lawrence Dunhill

A police sign appealing for information after the crash A police sign appealing for information after the crash

RYAN Grace was slammed by the judge for his 'no comment' police interviews, with questions also raised about the legal advice he was given.

CLICK HERE for more details about the trial.

The court heard the 19-year-old only admitted the charge of causing death by careless driving at the third opportunity and Judge Francis Sheridan said: "It is to this man's shame that he did not plead guilty at the earliest opportunity.

"He knew he was driving too fast, he knew he had caused the death but he made no comment in interview.

"He didn't enter a plea in the lower court. In my view he didn't need an expert to tell him how he was driving.

"He was not well served by anybody who was advising him in the police station to go 'no comment'. I make no bones about it. It may be very fashionable among some firms."

Turning to Grace, of Derehams Avenue, Loudwater, the judge added: "A friend had lost his life and one was fighting for his and you made no comment."

A letter from Rory Scarlett's parents was also read out in court, which said: "Any professionals responsible for advising him to plead not guilty should hang their heads in shame. They have probably made the situation worse for him."

Comments(9)

RenegadeJ007 says...
1:01pm Thu 14 Feb 13

So much time and resources wasted over education and law school in so many years and all these solicitors learn to recite ; No comment !!

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sparky49 says...
1:09pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Hang on a minute, am I missing something here. The judge criticizes the solicitors for the advice given, shames the young man and then lets him off with 250 hours. Surely as the judge he had the power to pass a jail sentence.

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Malc London says...
1:20pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Obviously the "No Comment" advise worked, and everyone should use it if they find themselves questioned by Police.

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realist_highwycombe says...
1:32pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Malc London wrote:
Obviously the "No Comment" advise worked, and everyone should use it if they find themselves questioned by Police.
Except in many circumstances it can land you in court with a much more severe sentence when something could have been resolved in the station.

Not to add the untold cost to you and I the taxpayer when these firms direct their "client" (a term I use loosely) to go no comment for sometimes very simple offences because they know they can get more money from the courts for further appearances.

The legal aid system in this country is a joke. It is full of companies making a fortune out of the taxpayer as the vast majority of these companies represent the usual unemployed, criminal scum bag and get a pot of gold everytime.

Wrong.

My thoughts are with all the families involved in this incident, a pure tragedy and my comments are not aimed at this case in particular.

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Sparkles26 says...
2:33pm Thu 14 Feb 13

A very close friend of mine was in the same hospital as the young man Rory Scarlett who was severely disabled in this incident, he is a lovely lad who against all odds has recovered incredibly however he will probably continue to require alot of care as will my friend who was seriously brain damaged in a senseless attack six months ago. We too have been faced with the scumbag who committed this crime being advised by his solicitors to go " no comment" during all police interviews. It seems to me that solicitors these days have forgotten about the morality of truly representing innocent from guilty and instead see it as a profiteering opportunity. That said if you are old enough to commit such crimes then in my mind you are old enough to know right from wrong and therefore own responsibility for your wrong doings without having to be instructed by a solicitor!

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Slacker says...
4:17pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Solicitors are paid to get the best possible outcome for the defendents, it appeared it worked.
No comment may be insulting and annoying, but it has kept him out of jail. I think the judge has no right making these comments against no comment interviews unless he is prepared to send a person to jail as otherwise it will be seen as a success and in this case it is.

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pygar2013 says...
4:44pm Thu 14 Feb 13

once upon a time a police officer left a briefcase at a friends house and he had a look inside he found a card telling an officer what to do if he was ever told he was told he was under investagation from above police fed instructed officer to say SAY NOTHING
GOOSE GANDER

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Voyeur says...
7:27pm Thu 14 Feb 13

I hope the judge makes the same comments to all other offenders who say "No Comment"!

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Stand up for England says...
9:53pm Thu 14 Feb 13

"No comment" is the biggest, farcical, money making scam going for so called 'solicitors'. Solicitors advise their 'clients' to go no comment at every opportunity, at every interview. The more the interview process can be delayed, the scum bag bailed, the solicitor makes money .. and lots of it .. all paid by the tax payer .. who just doesn't happen to be Mr Scum bag. Mr scum bag is encouraged by said solicitor "every time you get arrested, ask for me". Fact and I know the Wycombe solicitors concerned. Legal aid should not be free unless your found not guilty. If found guilty, then the guilty party pay or have possessions confiscated and sold to pay off debts incurred through the services of said solicitor. If found not guilty, the legal aid system should then pay for legal advice. Every person should have the moral and civil obligation to be honest, tell and find the truth. It is a fundamental prerequisite of living in organised society.

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