British justice

When the “criminal” motorist commits a parking offence or similar misdemeanour he or she can expect a fine of at least £3. When three boys of 13, 14 and 15, were caught discharging air gun pellets at motorists, one of which embedded itself in a van driver’s neck, they were fined, according to The Harrogate Advertiser, £2 each, and the elder boys £2 for carrying an unlicensed gun. Apparently the magistrates of Harrogate Juvenile Court regard this sniping at motorists as a less offensive sport than that of motoring itself. But suppose, on being shot, that van driver had lost control and killed someone?