Absolute *** of our time Pt.MXXVI

[Webbo]

I think Lisa was just making a light hearted comment and it doesn't really matter.

[Guest]

I think Lisa was just making a light hearted comment and it doesn't really matter.

This. The terms "libel" and "slander" have been used interchangeably for decades, regardless of the correctness. "Defamation" would cover all eventualities, such as social networking sites, where exchanges are treated as "conversations", with the kind of banter that wouldn't be amiss in the pub. I'm more than happy to argue over semantics.

[Leicfox]

ATOS....

These stories are becoming far to frequent. Complete wankers of the highest order.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/tory-hatchet-man-iain-duncan-1453863#.ULEgzKbTXil.twitter

[BoneDog]

ATOS....

These stories are becoming far to frequent. Complete wankers of the highest order.

http://www.dailyreco...zKbTXil.twitter

True. Plenty of scum work for them. I've heard some vile stuff.

[Zingari]

True. Plenty of scum work for them. I've heard some vile stuff.

Quite so but they are only following the guidelines set out from above . The tests for ability to work are almost laughable . I would expect most 80 year olds could pass that set of physical tests .

Basically if you can get to the office for the appointment and sit there for 20 minutes, occasionally lifting one arm or rising out of the chair it seems you are fit to work .

Edited 25 November 2012 by Zingari

[lavrentis]

Nigel Farage. Useless twat.

"Federal Union". We don't want that.

Farage actually does a lot for his cause, which is what he was voted in for to do.

[Jon the Hat]

Quite so but they are only following the guidelines set out from above . The tests for ability to work are almost laughable . I would expect most 80 year olds could pass that set of physical tests .

Basically if you can get to the office for the appointment and sit there for 20 minutes, occasionally lifting one arm or rising out of the chair it seems you are fit to work .

I suppose it depends what you call work. If you can function at home, feed yourself get dressed and move about the house, watch TV etc then you have some level of capability right? Not all jobs are physically demanding. The point is, if you give people a higher allowance because they have a physical impairment then why would they even bother to try to find something they can do?

Not saying all the agencies are necessarily getting it right every time, but I fail to see why you should receive a higher level of benefit than other unemployed people if you have no actual needs which cost more. If you are able to look for even 4% of roles for which you are capable then there is no reason not to be on jobseekers with everyone else.

[Rincewind]

Quite so but they are only following the guidelines set out from above . The tests for ability to work are almost laughable . I would expect most 80 year olds could pass that set of physical tests .

Basically if you can get to the office for the appointment and sit there for 20 minutes, occasionally lifting one arm or rising out of the chair it seems you are fit to work .

Someone I know was told to lift an empty box. He asked what job requires you to lift empty boxes all day. H passed and now is off disability. He has appealed but will take 18 months to be heard. He has bad knees and cannot walk far. Although he is able, using a planned route and public transport to visit Derby and Sheffield 2/3 times a week for beer testing. He says if he has to walk he knows where he can stop to rest when his legs begin to hurt.

He has done painting and decorating but reckons he can't get up ladders. He is in his 50's though no IT skills and enjoys a beer or two so I doubt he will be offered work. He can pull a pint though but only when there is a free one for himself.

[Captain...]

I suppose it depends what you call work. If you can function at home, feed yourself get dressed and move about the house, watch TV etc then you have some level of capability right? Not all jobs are physically demanding. The point is, if you give people a higher allowance because they have a physical impairment then why would they even bother to try to find something they can do?

Not saying all the agencies are necessarily getting it right every time, but I fail to see why you should receive a higher level of benefit than other unemployed people if you have no actual needs which cost more. If you are able to look for even 4% of roles for which you are capable then there is no reason not to be on jobseekers with everyone else.

I completely agree that if you are able to move around the house unaided and sit at a table you are capable of some work, but in a time when there is still a lot of unemployment you will be at a disadvantage if you find it difficult to go to the office for an interview, or be able to get in to the office for some meetings over somebody else who can.

The other problem is the type of work that can be done solely from home will be mainly low paid data entry/envelope stuffing kinda work, I would imagine, and someone with disabilities will need additional support in terms of the additional costs of living with a disability. As long as they still receive a disability allowance to compensate for that then it is a good thing in my opinion.

Edited 25 November 2012 by Captain Shrapnel

[Carl the Llama]

"Federal Union". We don't want that.

Farage actually does a lot for his cause, which is what he was voted in for to do.

You're right, all elected officials should petulantly refuse to show up to their committee meetings because they don't want to and find it hilarious when their childish behaviour is highlighted. The man's making us a laughing stock in Europe and all you can say is that's what you want him to be doing?

[lavrentis]

You're right, all elected officials should petulantly refuse to show up to their committee meetings because they don't want to and find it hilarious when their childish behaviour is highlighted. The man's making us a laughing stock in Europe and all you can say is that's what you want him to be doing?

The man is not a laughing stock he is a voice for not just British people who want out of the EU, but people across Europe who want out of it.

Personally I don't care what childish things he has done, his constituents voted him in I imagine to keep a check on things going on in Europe and he's using it as a platform to spread his message, which I don't blame him. Saying that he does do a lot for his constituents.

I think recent polls showed that 60% of Britons want out of the EU so hardly a laughing stock

[cambridgefox]

Someone I know was told to lift an empty box. He asked what job requires you to lift empty boxes all day. H passed and now is off disability. He has appealed but will take 18 months to be heard. He has bad knees and cannot walk far. Although he is able, using a planned route and public transport to visit Derby and Sheffield 2/3 times a week for beer testing. He says if he has to walk he knows where he can stop to rest when his legs begin to hurt.

He has done painting and decorating but reckons he can't get up ladders. He is in his 50's though no IT skills and enjoys a beer or two so I doubt he will be offered work. He can pull a pint though but only when there is a free one for himself.

What job requires you to lift empty boxes all day?

A corrugated box manufacturer.

[Zingari]

I suppose it depends what you call work. If you can function at home, feed yourself get dressed and move about the house, watch TV etc then you have some level of capability right? Not all jobs are physically demanding. The point is, if you give people a higher allowance because they have a physical impairment then why would they even bother to try to find something they can do?

Not saying all the agencies are necessarily getting it right every time, but I fail to see why you should receive a higher level of benefit than other unemployed people if you have no actual needs which cost more. If you are able to look for even 4% of roles for which you are capable then there is no reason not to be on jobseekers with everyone else.

I think most of us would agree that there are many people claiming disability benefits who are seemingly quite capable of some work , but I don't believe it was a massive percentage and I believe the majority were genuine . This fault in the old system whereby your own GP made the decision could quite easily have been solved by some sort of secondary referral to another doctor for verification of borderline cases , or even out and out lead swinging.

The problem with ATOS is the examiners are nothing more than semi trained box tickers with no real understanding of how certain illnesses and conditions affect the individuals ability to actually do productive work .

It's a bit like an MOT examiner being asked if a vehicle was capable of a 500 mile journey just by testing the steering , brakes and flashing the lights .

Sadly the case in the earlier post is not unusual it seems and there are many genuine cases of real hardship being caused by this this system , which incidentally is costing much more than any saving in benefit .

Another case of ideology superseding any benefit

[Carl the Llama]

The man is not a laughing stock he is a voice for not just British people who want out of the EU, but people across Europe who want out of it.

Personally I don't care what childish things he has done, his constituents voted him in I imagine to keep a check on things going on in Europe and he's using it as a platform to spread his message, which I don't blame him. Saying that he does do a lot for his constituents.

I think recent polls showed that 60% of Britons want out of the EU so hardly a laughing stock

It's not his policies I'm debating - they're what got him elected and fair enough.

It's the fact that he isn't doing what he was elected to do, unless he actually was elected to treat the whole MEP thing like a joke and refuse to show up to work.

[Rincewind]

With the bloke I mentioned he once told me he had to visit the jobcentre for assessment and was asked what job he thought he could do. He replied 'A seashell carver on a beach in the Caribbean.' The adviser said 'You are joking' he said 'No, the carving would be good for my arthritis and the open air good for my breathing problems.'

There were no jobs going so he carried on claiming.

When you get to a certain age they won't bother you as long as you seem to be looking for work. It's some people are more vulnerable than others so it is them that are hit with suspension of benefits. This makes the figures look good for whichever government is in power at the time. The ones that are caught are the borderline cases. People made redundant after 20 years plus at same place aged 50-60 and no knowledge of how to play the system. The old times cannot be touched as they are doing everything they are required to do. Filling in a job search form every two weeks and attending interviews now and again. If they have a family they claim for everything they are entitled to.

Not sure how employers feel about being forced to take on people they unable to cater for because of equality laws and having to interview a growing number of applicants, many unsuitable but apply because they have been told to.

[Guest MattP]

Not an absolute cnut but certainly the winner of the 'idiot of the day' award.

A man who yelled abuse at a crown court judge was jailed on the spot after he refused to apologise.

Andrew Paul Forster started ranting in the dock as he appeared on an assault charge at Leicester Crown Court. Judge Michael Pert QC told him to be quiet, but he responded with a barrage of abuse, telling the judge: "You're a f*****g div. You're a faggot."

1. 
   ​
   Andrew Paul Forster ranted in the dock at Leicester Crown Court
   

• •
  
• •
  

Forster's barrister, Kathryn Hirst, told Judge Pert, the court's most senior resident judge: "He's got something of a short fuse."

Moments before the outburst yesterday, Forster (30), of Hearth Street, Market Harborough, had pleaded not guilty to actual bodily harm.

He then began shouting insulting words about the man he was accused of assaulting, before yelling at the judge.

Judge Pert ordered Forster be removed from the dock and adjourned the hearing for a few moments so Ms Hirst could take "instructions" from Forster in relation to his behaviour in court.

She returned and said: "He's asked to come back into court. He'd like to apologise. He lost control.

He was aggrieved about the incident that led to this allegation he faces." But when Forster returned he said: "I'm not going to apologise.

"I feel I've been treated badly. This geezer has been terrorising my family."

Judge Pert told him: "You've used foul language towards me in my own court. You have to decide whether you want to apologise."

Forster replied: "No. I don't want to."

Judge Pert said: "Mr Forster, it's nothing personal. I've no views whatsoever what you think of me."

Forster said: "It's not you, it's the system."

The judge said: "You can't address a judge in this court in that way."

Judge Pert said he represented the Crown and the Queen's royal crest on the wall of the court.

"They represent the courts of justice," he said. "You have to treat them with respect."

Describing Forster's conduct as "wholly unacceptable," he promptly jailed him for 28 days for contempt of court.

Forster said: "Fair play to you. At least I've been locked up for something I've done."

As dock officers led him downstairs to the cells, he muttered defiantly: "I ain't apologising."

The actual bodily harm charge hearing was adjourned for trial.

[Alexikokopops]

yelling man story

Well that's going to help his GBH defence no end

[Rincewind]

His defence lawyer was on the ball. 'He's got something of a short fuse.' How perceptive of her. I think translated it means 'He's a raving nutcase'

[stix]

His defence lawyer was on the ball. 'He's got something of a short fuse.' How perceptive of her. I think translated it means 'He's a complete twat'

fixed

[act smiley]

More like "thank god I'm not no-win-no-fee"

[Guest MattP]

His defence lawyer was on the ball. 'He's got something of a short fuse.' How perceptive of her. I think translated it means 'He's a raving nutcase'

One of the reasons I love reading the cases in the Mercury is to read the comments of the defence lawyer/barrister, absolute comedy gold most of the time.

Edited 30 November 2012 by MattP

[kingfox]

Not an absolute cnut but certainly the winner of the 'idiot of the day' award.

A man who yelled abuse at a crown court judge was jailed on the spot after he refused to apologise.

Andrew Paul Forster started ranting in the dock as he appeared on an assault charge at Leicester Crown Court. Judge Michael Pert QC told him to be quiet, but he responded with a barrage of abuse, telling the judge: "You're a f*****g div. You're a faggot."

1. 
   ​
   Andrew Paul Forster ranted in the dock at Leicester Crown Court
   

• •
  
• •
  

Forster's barrister, Kathryn Hirst, told Judge Pert, the court's most senior resident judge: "He's got something of a short fuse."

Moments before the outburst yesterday, Forster (30), of Hearth Street, Market Harborough, had pleaded not guilty to actual bodily harm.

He then began shouting insulting words about the man he was accused of assaulting, before yelling at the judge.

Judge Pert ordered Forster be removed from the dock and adjourned the hearing for a few moments so Ms Hirst could take "instructions" from Forster in relation to his behaviour in court.

She returned and said: "He's asked to come back into court. He'd like to apologise. He lost control.

He was aggrieved about the incident that led to this allegation he faces." But when Forster returned he said: "I'm not going to apologise.

"I feel I've been treated badly. This geezer has been terrorising my family."

Judge Pert told him: "You've used foul language towards me in my own court. You have to decide whether you want to apologise."

Forster replied: "No. I don't want to."

Judge Pert said: "Mr Forster, it's nothing personal. I've no views whatsoever what you think of me."

Forster said: "It's not you, it's the system."

The judge said: "You can't address a judge in this court in that way."

Judge Pert said he represented the Crown and the Queen's royal crest on the wall of the court.

"They represent the courts of justice," he said. "You have to treat them with respect."

Describing Forster's conduct as "wholly unacceptable," he promptly jailed him for 28 days for contempt of court.

Forster said: "Fair play to you. At least I've been locked up for something I've done."

As dock officers led him downstairs to the cells, he muttered defiantly: "I ain't apologising."

The actual bodily harm charge hearing was adjourned for trial.

Well after going through this article, I have come to a conclusion that Andrew Forster must be an adult chav, who wears Lonsdale and Kappa.

[flowwolf]

Well after going through this article, I have come to a conclusion that Andrew Forster must be an adult chav, who wears Lonsdale and Kappa.

What ever happened to freedom of speech ? Why should he have to stand there and be slandered by a judge ? I'll gladly by him a pint when he gets out at least he has bollocks.

[Zingari]

A mother who beat her seven-year-old son "like a dog" when he failed to memorise passages of the Koran has been found guilty of his murder.

Sara Ege, 33, beat Yaseen Ege to death at their home in Pontcanna, Cardiff, in July 2010 and set fire to his body.

She was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice at Cardiff Crown Court. Sentence was adjourned.

The boy's father, Yousuf Ege, 38, was acquitted of causing Yaseen's death by failing to protect him.

BBC Wales reporter Steven Fairclough was in court for the verdicts and told Kayley Thomas about the background to the case.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...-wales-20617210

Edited 5 December 2012 by Zingari

[FoxyPV]

A mother who beat her seven-year-old son "like a dog" when he failed to memorise passages of the Koran has been found guilty of his murder.

Sara Ege, 33, beat Yaseen Ege to death at their home in Pontcanna, Cardiff, in July 2010 and set fire to his body.

She was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice at Cardiff Crown Court. Sentence was adjourned.

The boy's father, Yousuf Ege, 38, was acquitted of causing Yaseen's death by failing to protect him.

BBC Wales reporter Steven Fairclough was in court for the verdicts and told Kayley Thomas about the background to the case.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...-wales-20617210

That's made me feel physically sick.