A lot of water has since past but still people refuse to believe change is possible.

For one the person who was attacked (Kyle) was man handling a woman inside a pub to which Bens friends requested that he stop. Should they not be commended for stopping this 'man' doing such things to a woman? Secondly Bens friend was goaded by this 'man' and was knocked unconcious by Kyle. A single blow to the head has been known to kill so his actions were of an appauling nature too. Without glorifying what Ben did, nor finding an excuse for his actions Ben went from what I can only gather to be a revenge mission on a 'man' who had just assaulted his friend. An action I would think many people would do for their friends in a similar situation.

Let us not forget alcohol does send people crazy, at one end you have a man that found it hillariously funny to simulate an act with his four legged friend the other a man who thought defending his friends honour by kicking a man repeatedly was the way it should be done. Neither are right and society has a right to feel punnishment to both men should be given.

What you then have to realise is that the courts want the best for both society and criminal. Would sending Ben to prison, losing him his job, his livlihood and his future be in the best interests for society? Or has the courts decision been justified by the way Ben has acted since this event? He has changed beyond recognition, he refused to drink in/around Hull due to the fear of Hull fans wanting to cause trouble so he went to jail, he kept a low profile and did his hours of community service with distinction.

Can anyone really say the courts got this decision wrong? With hindsight the outcome has been best for not only Ben but also the community. Anyone that knows Ben will know he regrets doing what he did and has made changes in his life for the better.

The real crime is that Kyle got away with assault, even got paid compensation for it. Had he not assaulted anyone this event would never have happened.

All fine and well but doesn't explain why he is such a ehouse on the pitch, probably the Normanton 'mongrel' he has in him

Just the way he plays the game, he's niggly and I don't think there is a player like him around. He might not be blessed with the greatest amount of skill but his uncertainty, speed and ultimate dedication to the cause is what makes him a regular in our first team. There are not too many fans at HKR that wouldn't have him in the team and there is even talk of him replacing Briscoe at full back because Brisc hasn't done the business for so long now! I think the only way people can appreciate the work he does is if he is playing in your team.

A Cas supporter but a Robin for life is our Ben!!!

Several clubs were waiting in the wings hoping Hull KR would decide to dismiss him.

This philosophical at times debate is tired. Professional sports people are the worst to try and hold up as role models - typically they are academic under achievers by virtue of the fact that they dedicate so much time to sport (there are exceptions) and professional Rugby League and Footballers will typically be working class, as I am so this is not a swipe.

The combination of which usually results; when teamed with local/national celebrity, a lifestyle to be envied and being paid more than most of their peers to an unhealthy mix.

Many many exponents of our sport are known off the field to be difficult tempered in several ways or prone to bad decisions. In the Tigers ranks we have seen bans, drink driving and other allegations - I don't think there is any team without their off the field dealings to manage...... I think this one was just more felt in Vegas given it happened so locally.

your having a laugh, you had two, YES TWO blocks of fans in the main stand!! the rest of the ground was Cas, i remember it being predicted a minimum of 7500 cas fans there that day. even 17 coaches only equates to 850 fans, i would say half the total in attendance that day.

You have obviously forgotten that coaches from Hull KR are 235 seaters

1. Learn the quote function, it's not rocket science.
2. *disparaging* (there are other errors but I'm not a complete grammar Nazi)
3. As far as I am aware, this is my first comment regarding Hull KR.
4. Take my post in the humour in which it was intended, it was far more DISPARAGING to people from Normanton.

As you were.

i have dsylexia my friend re my grammar

"Would sending Ben to prison, losing him his job, his livlihood and his future be in the best interests for society?"




YES!

Is it catching because just about everyone I pull up over spelling/grammar seems to suffer from it. Way to avoid the other points I made though, I'll just leave it at that as to save further derailment of this train wreck of a thread.

getting away from that i think it will be a close game but with us losing scrum half dobbo as well as webster think we are up against it cas by 6-8 i say

A very well thought out and constructive argument. So in what ways would this serve the community? A show of authority, show youngsters you can't do what he did and get away with it? All arguments I've heard before but does that kind of threat actually make kids or even adults change their ways? I'd say you would be looking at a 0.0001%.

Has dealing with this in the way it has been done Ben the world of good? Yes, has he changed? Yes. Has he reoffended? No. Isn't that what fighting crime is all about, they are not prisons anymore they are correction centres and if you can correct a person while keeping them in society surely this is the best possible outcome?

Yeah, we are due a bit of luck with last years results in mind We should, on paper, win this but games aren't won on paper. Think we have the edge in the halves with Dobson out and hopefully this will lay a platform for our forwards to get some metres. We are also looking pretty good defensively against 'bigger' sides and our fitness levels look pretty good also.