Is legal aid given too freely?

accymel · 11-12-2006, 13:06

Soham killer Ian Huntley is to receive legal aid to fight a case against a woman who claims he sexually assaulted her when she was 11 years old.

Hailey Giblin, 20, believed she had won a civil case against him in October but has learned he will contest the action.
She says the attack was in Cleethorpes in 1997 - five years before he killed Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.
The Legal Services Commission said about £1,000 had been allocated to his solicitors to challenge the case. "Ian Huntley has got legal aid and the case is ongoing," a spokesman said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/humber/6168919.stm

Makes me so sick & mad - there are some people that do genuinely need a hand with legal aid to fight some cases & this one is given it on a plate - why ??? He's going to be in prison for a very long time anyway i so damn hope!!

Is this right?

lancsdave · 11-12-2006, 13:09

Not much option really. Thankfully he hasn't got the opportunity to earn a living to pay for his defence. More than likely he has no defence but his solicitior can see another good pay day on the horizon.

SPUGGIE J · 11-12-2006, 13:10

No its not right but sadley he has the right to fight it reguardless of his circumstances.

The legal aid system is full of faults but unfortunately unless you have the money to pay for legal help its all there is.

accymel · 11-12-2006, 13:14

My argument is that some people who apply get turned down plus theres more restrictions now so have to fork out themselves by any means or do without - hence why some things now have gone no win no fee so then its the deserved cases with better chances gets dealt with. Hang on idea if the twit is as innocent as he claims why dont he do no win no fee - somehow i think his sol's wouldnt touch him with a barge pole!!! Which makes me think that legal aid coffers are being wasted to line sols firms pockets!!

SPUGGIE J · 11-12-2006, 13:39

Sad but true Mel and it could be seen as image raising for his solicitor and his form. Its becoming the norm now for solicitors to take on any case regaurdless of its merrits if legal aid is involved.

accymel · 11-12-2006, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPUGGIE J

Sad but true Mel and it could be seen as image raising for his solicitor and his form. Its becoming the norm now for solicitors to take on any case regaurdless of its merrits if legal aid is involved.

LOL yeh thats true & they soon bog off when the pot runs dry or stops!!

WillowTheWhisp · 11-12-2006, 13:51

Everyone is supposed to be entitled to a defense so what happens to other people who can't afford it and who get turned down for legal aid?

accymel · 11-12-2006, 13:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

Everyone is supposed to be entitled to a defense so what happens to other people who can't afford it and who get turned down for legal aid?

Exactly they lose their right to a defense or prosecution/action or come up with the money, happens a lot more in civil cases

Sparkologist · 12-12-2006, 17:32

What gets on my tits is not so much the fact that a mururous scrote like Huntley is deemed eligable for legal aid, more the fact that a person in the legal profession is willing to represent him, while being paid from the public purse.

The way I see it, they place the filthy lucre higher than honesty & integrity!

chav1 · 12-12-2006, 21:01

anyone thought that this woman may be just telling lies to get a payout , it sounds sick but it is possible

watch teh papers for more people looking for payouts

all ime saying is if she is lying and huntly although unlikely is found innocent it should deter others thinking of a quick few quid

there are people aout there who will sell any story or lie to any court if theres a chance of a payout , like i said sick but not imossible so huntly does need a defence lawer

prisoners should however have any assets sold to pay for solicitors fees etc should they loose

SPUGGIE J · 12-12-2006, 21:53

Very cynical but true, sadley Chav.