Crime is, on the whole, a young man's pastime, but fortunately for society academic research suggests that offending tails off at about the age of 23 or so, often when the calming influence of a girlfriend comes into play. Even Shakespeare knew that 23 is the key age, as I commented here.
Today we sentenced a 22 year-old man with a chronic drug dependency, funded by regular shoplifting. He has had the lot, from probation to custody and back again.
We wearily decided that unless the drugs could be addressed, the pattern of offending would just carry on, so we imposed a sentence that included a Drug Rehabilitation Requirement, backed up by a suspended prison sentence.
His shabby looking girlfriend was sitting at the back, so I told him that the only way he could get away from the revolving door to prison would be to allow the DRR to work, then I looked at her and said "there is someone here today who obviously cares about you, and I hope that she will keep an eye on you." I was rewarded by two big smiles and two nodding heads; the girl's vigorously so.
I live more in hope than expectation that the DRR will work, but it had to be worth a try.
Fingers crossed.
The law recognises the age of 23 in the "young man's defence" which I think is statutory now and was previously a common law defence against sex with a minor girl.
ReplyDeleteI believe there is another step change in male maturity around the age of 40.
This is probably Darwinian, with evolution fitting men to play different roles at different ages; starting as cannon fodder then the survivors becoming protectors and providers and ending up as patriarchs.
Arbitrary age generalizations.
DeleteAs a young Special in Birmingham, I remember conversations along the lines";whatever has happened to so and so ?" Oh, didn't you know he has got married and got a kid, he is behaving himself now.
ReplyDeleteHe might get into a fight at his daughter's wedding . . .
DeleteBut at least you tried. Well done!
ReplyDeleteHaving lived in a YMCA for five years, it was noticed by all that once an inmate - er - resident reached 23, their criminal activities did decline. And not everyone had a girl/boyfriend. Some hardened individuals who had so many convictions they thought no-one would ever employ them did persevere. But the majority generally lost interest. With the younger ones it was mainly peer pressure wanting to be worthy of 'the tribe'.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this I remember the same situation when pronouncing the exact same sentence in my court. When you see that smile it brings a lump to the throat. You need to be practiced to not let your own emotion show.
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