British Justice Not So Tough On Book Theft After All
- by Michael Stillman
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The judge castigated Buckley for damaging Manchester's cultural heritage and for bringing shame upon himself and his family. He sentenced the librarian-thief to a year and three months in prison. However, he then suspended the sentence for two years. If Buckley behaves himself, and one would hope he would have the good sense not to steal any more books, at least for two years, he will not have to do any time. He is required to perform 250 hours of community service (hopefully not working in the local library) and make restitution.
This sounds lenient, though perhaps it is considered tough in British courts. Smiley's sentence appeared merciful, but he will still spend a day in jail for roughly each $2,000 worth of maps he stole. Buckley drew a get out of jail free card. It's hard not to notice the irony of the British Library, retreating from America disgusted with the relatively short prison time compelled by American justice. Then, in similar circumstances, British justice imposes no prison time at all. Evidently, librarians are tougher on crime than those responsible for enforcing the law. You were right in your youth to obey the cross, unsmiling librarian when she told you to "shut up." Unlike prosecutors and courts, she meant it.
