How Laws Are Applied Differently According To Circumstances

Question 1

Age of Criminal responsibility in:
UK
Canada
Bangladesh
China

Answer 1

UK - 10 years (James Bulger killing)
CA - 12 years
BA - 9 years
CH - 16 years

Question 2

Circumstances that can affect the charge given to a suspect

Answer 2

• diminished responsibility (can include mental health issues rendering you ‘not responsible’ for the crime)
• loss of control

Question 3

Marine A Blackman

Answer 3

• Royal Marine who shot an injured Taliban soldier in Afghanistan, going against the Geneva Convention
• He was convicted of murder in 2011 and he served 3 years
• He then appealed, and was recharged with “manslaughter on the ground of diminished responsibility”
• Blackman had a recognised mental illness at the time of the shooting, and he had “quite exceptional stressors” and “developed a hatred for the Taliban and a desire for revenge”