Scott Thompson gets suspended jail term

[Squawk]

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23993003-5006301,00.html
ADELAIDE Crows footballer Scott Thompson has been given a suspended jail sentence for hoon driving.

The ABC reports that Thompson, 25, had pleaded guilty in Port Adelaide Magistrates Court to causing serious harm by dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident at Fulham last November.

Magistrate Paul Foley said Thompson panicked after crashing into a pole.

His friend, Adam Sampson, was seriously injured.

Mr Foley said he could have jailed the midfielder for five years for each offence, but instead he set a four-month prison term which he suspended.

[Media Park]

"Could have been jailed for each offence.."
Well why was't he?
Another case of an elite sporting person being treated better than the average.

Except Scott Thompson isn't "elite."

[mighty_tiger_79]

IF IT WAS anybody else - they would have ended up in jail and the key thrown away

DOUBLE f*****ing standards

[GWW]

I don't want to defend a Crows player, but i'm not surprised this type of incident didn't attract a custodial sentence. If he had a good record, and i haven't heard that he's got any priors, then this type of matter wouldn't, i would have thought, attract a jail sentence.

Having said that, the injury to the friend is obviously a serious matter, but even still i wouldn't have expected any jail time.

[Psyber]

Now, now, chaps! You know all Magistrates are lawyers, drink Chardonnay, and follow the Crows, and have a realistic sense of justice.
Of course if he'd been a Port Adelaide player gaol time would have been quite appropriate.
[I would hope any Norwood players would also be treated with reasonable discretion.]

Joking aside, the leaving the scene of an accident is viewed very seriously and he would almost certainly gotten a short custodial sentence had he not confessed instead of waiting to be found out.

[Swooper16]

If he did get jail time do you think Rucci would count down the number of days left in the cell on a new "scottys counter"?

[Tassie Blues]

yeah lets fill all the over crowded jails with minor traffic ofenders and let the drug dealers stay out on our streets. If he wasnt a footballer this story wouldnt have even got a mention in the media.

[best on hill]

yeah lets fill all the over crowded jails with minor traffic ofenders and let the drug dealers stay out on our streets. If he wasnt a footballer this story wouldnt have even got a mention in the media.

but he is a footballer TB!!

[Squawk]

Does this suggest that his actions have brought the AFL into disrepute?

Shannon Grant suspended for 1 game by his club for breaching club policies.
Aaron Davey confesses to something to the leadership group and is suspended for a game.
Barry Hall has a swing and is suspended indefinitely.
Scott Thompson (and others - a long list mind you) get found/plead guilty beyond reasonable doubt to a criminal offence, yet no suspension by club or league?

Thoughts anyone?

[redden whites]

Johncock,Burns,Thompson.......just another day

Footnote: Can the thread title be changed to "Crows Champion Scott Thompson" as quoted on the ch9 news tonight

[Tassie Blues]

yeah lets fill all the over crowded jails with minor traffic ofenders and let the drug dealers stay out on our streets. If he wasnt a footballer this story wouldnt have even got a mention in the media.

but he is a footballer TB!!

So because he plays footy he should get locked up for a traffic accident when Joe Blow down the road who is charged with the same offence gets a suspended sentence?

[Sojourner]

Most likely he has a clean record and this could have been a first offence so they let it go through to the keeper this time.

I am not defending him but I do wonder how many posters here on SAFooty would leave a note if they hit someones car in a car park?

Most likely he panicked and took off which despite not agreeing with it would have to be seen as a reaction that anyone could have, he also then turned himself in, so he did do the right thing eventually which as Psyber suggests probably made all the difference as it would for any other member of the public.

[best on hill]

yeah lets fill all the over crowded jails with minor traffic ofenders and let the drug dealers stay out on our streets. If he wasnt a footballer this story wouldnt have even got a mention in the media.

but he is a footballer TB!!

So because he plays footy he should get locked up for a traffic accident when Joe Blow down the road who is charged with the same offence gets a suspended sentence?

not at all TB. he should be treated as any member of the public, but given his statis as a footballer, imo he has got off lightly, any other "joe blow" would have been delt a harsher sentence. scott basiclly hit and run which is a cowardly act!!!!

[redden whites]

he also then turned himself in, so he did do the right thing eventually which as Psyber suggests probably made all the difference as it would for any other member of the public.

Reidy what do I do.I am hiding down the road in a letterbox...pick up please

[Dirko]

Does this suggest that his actions have brought the AFL into disrepute? Thoughts anyone?

Well, lets see...

Captain of Richmond, takes a leak (on a police station ), gives himself a suspension, and gets crucified in the press...

Didn't hurt anyone etc yet got made to look like he'd committed a major crime...

mmmmm

What's worse, leaking in public or driving like a moron and injuring someone ? Hope the media treat Scotty
the same as they did Johnson (or Fev for that matter)....

[spell_check]

Does this suggest that his actions have brought the AFL into disrepute? Thoughts anyone?

Well, lets see...

Captain of Richmond, takes a leak (on a police station ), gives himself a suspension, and gets crucified in the press...

Didn't hurt anyone etc yet got made to look like he'd committed a major crime...

mmmmm

What's worse, leaking in public

What if someone slips up on the puddle afterwards and injures themselves?

[Dirko]

What if someone slips up on the puddle afterwards and injures themselves?

If it was Fev's puddle they would've drowned not slipped

[mighty_tiger_79]

yeah lets fill all the over crowded jails with minor traffic ofenders and let the drug dealers stay out on our streets. If he wasnt a footballer this story wouldnt have even got a mention in the media.

well that happens now, so im not sure what you are on about?????

[Booney]

A jail term could have helped him work on his disposal somewhat.

[Squawk]

Does this suggest that his actions have brought the AFL into disrepute? Thoughts anyone?

Well, lets see...

Captain of Richmond, takes a leak (on a police station ), gives himself a suspension, and gets crucified in the press...

Didn't hurt anyone etc yet got made to look like he'd committed a major crime...

mmmmm

What's worse, leaking in public or driving like a moron and injuring someone ? Hope the media treat Scotty
the same as they did Johnson (or Fev for that matter)....

I suspect that the AFLPA will profer the view that suspending him from games will be tantamount to punishing him more than once for the same event. That he has brought more disrepute upon himself than he has the game. you know the story...