REGRETTABLY, for some islanders a criminal conviction holds all the importance of an overdue book fine. A minor irritation, but not something worth losing sleep over.

For those sorry individuals, the courtroom is a second home and the prosecutor needs a wheelbarrow to carry in all the paperwork detailing previous convictions.

Thankfully, for the majority of islanders a blemish-free criminal record is something to carry in their hearts with pride. It means something and is worth cherishing and preserving.

It is a badge worthy of respect, not only from fellow islanders but from the state.

Sadly, at times, the state forgets to show that due respect.

The prosecution this month of a 73-year-old ormerer for collecting a few undersized molluscs is a case in point.

At a stroke, an islander who has worked hard, served his parish with distinction and kept a clean criminal record for more than seven decades has lost that badge of honour.

Once it reached the courtroom the judge felt she had no choice but to record a fine and conviction. But not before commenting on the defendant’s impeccable record: ‘It is obvious these actions were genuine errors. I trust you on your word. It is very clear there was no intent to do anything wrong.’

Which begs the obvious question: why was this man there at all, then?

We all make mistakes. Slamming down the heavy hand of the law each and every time is not only unnecessary, it is counter-productive.

For the more criminalised a population, the more criminal the population becomes.

If convictions are handed out like confetti there are fewer people taking pride in their charge sheet. Society is then undoubtedly going in the wrong direction.

No doubt the officers responsible will counter with the jobsworth’s mantra that ‘the law is the law’, as if that is the answer to everything.

It is not. Islanders expect all of their laws to be applied firstly with common sense.

Without that, it is not the individual who has lost respect – it is the state.