Nial mason 6 months suspended prison sentence!!!!

[German Rover]

DNA evidence isn't actually that reliable, at least it's not (always) some smoking gun like it's made out to be in the films. It doesn't mean it can't be used as part of a larger picture though, and given this offence seems to have been very public I don't think that was the only piece of evidence that got him.

He pleaded guilty. That means he admitted doing it.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Tough one. Should he lose his job over it? Not sure what that achieves in terms of his life, though it is his fault.

However, do I want him playing for my club? No not at all.

[rich1471]

He may have been advised to plead guilty to get a suspended sentence,
Plead not guilty and lose and get sent down there and then

Not sure I agree with that.. who in their right mind would plead guilty to a sexual offence just to get a lower sentence, but still then have the conviction and all that entails, if they believed themselves innocent.??

if you had the option to plead out and not go to prison even if it ment you would you do go on sex offenders register what would you do

[Move DRFC]

Depends how much we want to win promotion. Obviously what he’s done is totally wrong and he’s massively let himself and the club down - but let’s face it, his career isn’t over and this will not end it. Someone else will take him just like Marlon King, Lee Hughes etc. He’s a quality player and a valuable asset who should face consequences but not lose his job - not when he’s so important to us.

[Metalmicky]

A different crime and no custodial sentence - but in 2008 Darren Ferguson was fined for assaulting his estranged wife. He originally plead not guilty and changed his plea at last minute to accept the fine. We subsequently then employed him.

Fair point

[dickos1]

A different crime and no custodial sentence - but in 2008 Darren Ferguson was fined for assaulting his estranged wife. He originally plead not guilty and changed his plea at last minute to accept the fine. We subsequently then employed him.

The offence was almost ten years before we employed him, and he had many other jobs before us

[dickos1]

DNA evidence isn't actually that reliable, at least it's not (always) some smoking gun like it's made out to be in the films. It doesn't mean it can't be used as part of a larger picture though, and given this offence seems to have been very public I don't think that was the only piece of evidence that got him.

He pleaded guilty. That means he admitted doing it.

Rightly or wrongly, people plead guilty to ensure a lighter punishment

[Metalmicky]

A different crime and no custodial sentence - but in 2008 Darren Ferguson was fined for assaulting his estranged wife. He originally plead not guilty and changed his plea at last minute to accept the fine. We subsequently then employed him.

The offence was almost ten years before we employed him, and he had many other jobs before us

OK - so should we make a bid for Ched Evans then?

[karlos]

DNA is very reliable most cases are settled on DNA evidence and is 99% accurate especially when found on major part of the crime.

[Metalmicky]

DNA is very reliable most cases are settled on DNA evidence and is 99% accurate especially when found on major part of the crime.

?

[adamtherover]

Out of Interest,  does anyone know any fans of a Club that has signed a player after they have served   time v for a nasty offence,  and what is the actual view of the fans regarding a criminal playing for their own team. We assume rhat they are all onside and  love a bad.boy etc.   But for all we know 99% could despise the said player? 

[drfchound]

A different crime and no custodial sentence - but in 2008 Darren Ferguson was fined for assaulting his estranged wife. He originally plead not guilty and changed his plea at last minute to accept the fine. We subsequently then employed him.

The offence was almost ten years before we employed him, and he had many other jobs before us

DF was a convicted woman beater though.
Does our forum condone that?

[Campsall rover]

Well this is desperately disappointing news.
Puts a real dampener on all the recent positivity.
Can’t really see how we can offer him a new contract now.
It just wouldn’t be right and would send out the wrong message.

[karlos]

Metalmickey I was replying to a earlier post where he said DNA is not reliable.

[Filo]

DNA evidence isn't actually that reliable, at least it's not (always) some smoking gun like it's made out to be in the films. It doesn't mean it can't be used as part of a larger picture though, and given this offence seems to have been very public I don't think that was the only piece of evidence that got him.

He pleaded guilty. That means he admitted doing it.

Rightly wot wrongly, people plead guilty to ensure a lighter punishment

Reading the article, to me, that is probably what he did, he’s got his hand underneath her top and inside her bra without any struggle or resistance apart from her saying he could n’t go there, thats how I’m reading it any way

[Branton Rover]

It’s incredibly disappointing he’s let everyone down - I think our board will take a very dim view of such antics & tear up his contract. Another example of why footballers are footballers and not brain surgeons - good job we have a thoroughly decent lad namely Matty Blair who has been outstanding recently particularly when playing out of position at fullback

[IDM]

He may have been advised to plead guilty to get a suspended sentence,
Plead not guilty and lose and get sent down there and then

Not sure I agree with that.. who in their right mind would plead guilty to a sexual offence just to get a lower sentence, but still then have the conviction and all that entails, if they believed themselves innocent.??

if you had the option to plead out and not go to prison even if it ment you would you do go on sex offenders register what would you do

I wouldn’t do the crime in the first place.!!

If I was accused and knew I was innocent I would fight tooth and nail to clear my name..

[dickos1]

But then you could end up like ched Evans

[IDM]

I suspect none of us here know what the club’s disciplinary policy and procedures actually are, especially for a case like this..

The easy option is to terminate his contract.

Played devils advocate here, how about a club suspension for the rest of the season.? Effectively outndor the same amount of time as the actual sentence.?

Whatever happens, I believe the club needs to take into account how it is embedded within the community, as I think it will do, when dealing with this situation.

[dickos1]

A different crime and no custodial sentence - but in 2008 Darren Ferguson was fined for assaulting his estranged wife. He originally plead not guilty and changed his plea at last minute to accept the fine. We subsequently then employed him.

The offence was almost ten years before we employed him, and he had many other jobs before us

OK - so should we make a bid for Ched Evans then?

I can’t think of any reason whatsoever why we wouldn’t if the manager thinks he’d improve us

[MachoMadness]

DNA is very reliable most cases are settled on DNA evidence and is 99% accurate especially when found on major part of the crime.

Far from it. DNA testing - and forensic science in general - is far from 99% accurate as it can be wrongly applied and wrongly interpreted by juries. Not saying that's what happened in this case, Mason admitted it and there were no doubt tons of witnesses and whatever else, but this article is worth a read: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/the-surprisingly-imperfect-science-of-dna-testing-2/
DNA isn't useless and it can be useful under perfect conditions, but those conditions rarely occur!

[IDM]

But then you could end up like ched Evans

No, because in terms of public perception or celebrity, I am a nobody..

Of course I would fight to clear my name, wouldn’t you.??

[karlos]

Cut all ties with this player and preserve the clubs good name don't let one player no matter how good he is ruin the clubs reputation with the community.

[selby]

When is his contract up?

[Chris Black come back]

When is his contract up?

Five months.

[roversdude]

As much as I hate to say it he has to go

[mushRTID]

When is his contract up?

Five months.

Maybe the club will suspend him and then not offer a new contract

[Chris Black come back]

He seemed a decent and hard-working lad on pitch and no big timer. Shame he has let so many people down and particularly has impacted the life of that lass. Hope she can recover and that he can think very carefully about what he wants to do with rest of his life in the game. Certainly if he has a career it will be on different trajectory now.

[Chris Black come back]

Lewis is a proper right back so suspect he will drop in there now.

[dickos1]

But then you could end up like ched Evans

No, because in terms of public perception or celebrity, I am a nobody..

Of course I would fight to clear my name, wouldn’t you.??

Doesn’t have anything to do with public perception I meant with regards to being sent to prison for a number of years for something you didn’t do.