Man jailed for letting girl smoke
Man jailed for letting girl smoke
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/8308946.stm
Man jailed for letting girl smoke
A man has been jailed for 18 months for allowing a three-year-old child to smoke. Newcastle Crown Court heard that the girl asked Graeme Conroy, 31, for a cigarette and when she started smoking it was filmed on a mobile phone.
The court heard that the child had smoked three cigarettes before the filming took place.
Conroy, from Ashington, Northumberland, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering or injury to health.
Last month magistrates in Gateshead remanded Conroy, of Blyth Terrace, into custody and committed his case to the crown court after deciding their powers of sentence were insufficient.
His behaviour was irresponsible and he clearly didn't give sufficient thought to what he was doing, believing it to be a bit of a joke 
Jane Foley, defending
During that hearing, they heard that he had handed the lit cigarette to the child and encouraged her to inhale it.
Conroy then persuaded another child, aged 14, to film it on a mobile phone for fun, the court heard.
But it was this that proved to be his undoing when the footage, which was recorded on 24 February, was discovered and he was reported to the police.
In the footage Conroy can be heard laughing and at one point someone is heard saying: "She'll smoke it all herself."
A reference is also made to cannabis - sparking fears the cigarette could have contained the drug. However, tests carried out on the girl's hair by police proved negative, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
'Irresponsible behaviour'
Prosecutor Tony Glover said: "The essence of the offence is that he encouraged this child to smoke.
"He admitted giving a child a cigarette. He said he knew it was wrong and knew he shouldn't have done it."
Jane Foley, defending, said: "His behaviour was irresponsible and he clearly didn't give sufficient thought to what he was doing, believing it to be a bit of a joke.
"To anyone hearing the circumstances of the offence they would be appalled to hear that a three-year-old girl was permitted to smoke this cigarette."
Sentencing Conroy, Judge David Wood said: "You evidently thought it would be funny if she was allowed to smoke cigarettes and you could take a video of what was going on.
"This sort of conduct could be very damaging to a child's health and could have all sorts of effects upon her future health. You have completely disregarded her safety and endangered her."
A man has been jailed for 18 months for allowing a three-year-old child to smoke. Newcastle Crown Court heard that the girl asked Graeme Conroy, 31, for a cigarette and when she started smoking it was filmed on a mobile phone.
The court heard that the child had smoked three cigarettes before the filming took place.
Conroy, from Ashington, Northumberland, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering or injury to health.
Last month magistrates in Gateshead remanded Conroy, of Blyth Terrace, into custody and committed his case to the crown court after deciding their powers of sentence were insufficient.
His behaviour was irresponsible and he clearly didn't give sufficient thought to what he was doing, believing it to be a bit of a joke Jane Foley, defending
During that hearing, they heard that he had handed the lit cigarette to the child and encouraged her to inhale it.
Conroy then persuaded another child, aged 14, to film it on a mobile phone for fun, the court heard.
But it was this that proved to be his undoing when the footage, which was recorded on 24 February, was discovered and he was reported to the police.
In the footage Conroy can be heard laughing and at one point someone is heard saying: "She'll smoke it all herself."
A reference is also made to cannabis - sparking fears the cigarette could have contained the drug. However, tests carried out on the girl's hair by police proved negative, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
'Irresponsible behaviour'
Prosecutor Tony Glover said: "The essence of the offence is that he encouraged this child to smoke.
"He admitted giving a child a cigarette. He said he knew it was wrong and knew he shouldn't have done it."
Jane Foley, defending, said: "His behaviour was irresponsible and he clearly didn't give sufficient thought to what he was doing, believing it to be a bit of a joke.
"To anyone hearing the circumstances of the offence they would be appalled to hear that a three-year-old girl was permitted to smoke this cigarette."
Sentencing Conroy, Judge David Wood said: "You evidently thought it would be funny if she was allowed to smoke cigarettes and you could take a video of what was going on.
"This sort of conduct could be very damaging to a child's health and could have all sorts of effects upon her future health. You have completely disregarded her safety and endangered her."
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Too many posts.. I need a life!!
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From: in the garage fixing yet another oil leak
well it just shows how times have changed. when i were a lad about 6/7 years old we had a school trip to the local Embassy cigarette factory in Newcastle to see how they were made. my mum would send me to the shops to get her a pack of in those days i cant believe that someone would have been jailed for giving a kid a ciggy then
20K+ Super Poster.
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: uk
I think it terrible, that he got prosecuted, why pick on him, there are millions of parents smoking in the same room as thier kids, this must also be abuse.
My dad smoked indoors when I was a nipper, and two people who have a girl with chronic asthma and lung disease were until recently smoking indoors 40 a day each, I reported this to the health visitor and the Social Services, but this is not classed as abuse!!
Fortunately the man about 37/39 had a heart attack, unfortunately he lived but it did stop him smoking.
I would like to see it outlawed in the presence of those that can't complain about it.
tabetha
My dad smoked indoors when I was a nipper, and two people who have a girl with chronic asthma and lung disease were until recently smoking indoors 40 a day each, I reported this to the health visitor and the Social Services, but this is not classed as abuse!!
Fortunately the man about 37/39 had a heart attack, unfortunately he lived but it did stop him smoking.
I would like to see it outlawed in the presence of those that can't complain about it.
tabetha
I think it terrible, that he got prosecuted, why pick on him, there are millions of parents smoking in the same room as thier kids, this must also be abuse.
My dad smoked indoors when I was a nipper, and two people who have a girl with chronic asthma and lung disease were until recently smoking indoors 40 a day each, I reported this to the health visitor and the Social Services, but this is not classed as abuse!!
Fortunately the man about 37/39 had a heart attack, unfortunately he lived but it did stop him smoking.
I would like to see it outlawed in the presence of those that can't complain about it.
tabetha
My dad smoked indoors when I was a nipper, and two people who have a girl with chronic asthma and lung disease were until recently smoking indoors 40 a day each, I reported this to the health visitor and the Social Services, but this is not classed as abuse!!
Fortunately the man about 37/39 had a heart attack, unfortunately he lived but it did stop him smoking.
I would like to see it outlawed in the presence of those that can't complain about it.
tabetha
I think it's right that he got locked up, and I think parents that smoke around their kids (especially in cars) need to have their fucking heads examined.
PassionFord Regular
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 305
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From: derby area
So you think it's wrong that he got prosecuted, but that smoking should be outlawed around minors? Surely that's contradictory.
I think it's right that he got locked up, and I think parents that smoke around their kids (especially in cars) need to have their fucking heads examined.
I think it's right that he got locked up, and I think parents that smoke around their kids (especially in cars) need to have their fucking heads examined.
i dont think what was said was meant (if that makes sense) just a comparison that letting her smoke is as bad as smoking around her which is JUST as bad but legal.
Ban[B][/B]ned
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From: The Pool.
Not to mention you don't become addicted from passive smoking. I reckon if he let her smoke from three years of age onwards, when she was 15, putting a side all her health problems she would never be able to see why it's so bad. Parents are meant to set the standards, he's a first class idiot and needs a reality check.
As for those who smoke around their kids, it should be banned.
Benni.
As for those who smoke around their kids, it should be banned.
Benni.
Jiu Boxu
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,160
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From: London
Glad he's a scapegoat, I think twats who smoke round their kids need spaying, they must need to be pretty retarded in the first place. Lifes hard enough to cut a path through without a dormant (killer) addiction waiting. Blood boiler 
Smoking around your kids is stupid and irresponsible, giving your 3 year old a lit cigarette and letting them smoke it is much worse on so many levels.
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