V
Villan Of The North
Guest
Norway's Petter Northug is one of the world's top cross country ski stars, enjoying celebrity status to become something of a name in the world of on-line poker too.
In May of this year it seems he started to believe his own immortal status as he cast asside regard for the law and public safety when he crashed his sponsor's top of the range Audi whilst driving under the influence of alcohol after an extended party with friends. Northug pled guilty to all charges and in return recieved a more lenient sentence today, 50 days in orison and Kr 185,000 fine.
Kr 185,000..........that's nearly £18,000 :170:
Commentators are saying that this was lenient treatment due to his cooperation with the poluce (after an initial false statement where he tried to blame hus friend) but Norway is known for lenient sentancing with convicted killers often being released after less than 10 years. Yes, the fine is high but fines here are high, I was caught doing 15kph (about 10mph) over the limit 2 years ago and was fined almost £300. Given the circumstances of the case, what with it being so high profile, I can't help thinking that the judge has tried to make an example of him by giving a long custodial sentance and high fine.
I'm of a mind to ban such serious offenders from driving for life but I also believe in appropriate punishment with it fitting the crime where possible and I can't see what 50 days incarceration and £18,000 fine has to do with the situation, he can probably afford that fine more easily than I could the £300 I had to pay.
In May of this year it seems he started to believe his own immortal status as he cast asside regard for the law and public safety when he crashed his sponsor's top of the range Audi whilst driving under the influence of alcohol after an extended party with friends. Northug pled guilty to all charges and in return recieved a more lenient sentence today, 50 days in orison and Kr 185,000 fine.
Kr 185,000..........that's nearly £18,000 :170:
Commentators are saying that this was lenient treatment due to his cooperation with the poluce (after an initial false statement where he tried to blame hus friend) but Norway is known for lenient sentancing with convicted killers often being released after less than 10 years. Yes, the fine is high but fines here are high, I was caught doing 15kph (about 10mph) over the limit 2 years ago and was fined almost £300. Given the circumstances of the case, what with it being so high profile, I can't help thinking that the judge has tried to make an example of him by giving a long custodial sentance and high fine.
I'm of a mind to ban such serious offenders from driving for life but I also believe in appropriate punishment with it fitting the crime where possible and I can't see what 50 days incarceration and £18,000 fine has to do with the situation, he can probably afford that fine more easily than I could the £300 I had to pay.
