CopperCyclist
Veteran
It wasn't "gaffa taped" on, it was bolted on. No legal precedent is set in a magistrates court. I thought you would have known that. And magistrates courts are known for their curious interpretation of the law...
Going slightly off topic here, so I'll allow myself to veer off once then promise to stop. A legal precedent can be set in any court, but it only MUST be followed if it was set by a higher court. If it was in a court of the same level then it shold be seen as 'persuasive' unless there are substantial differences to the facts.
Therefore, yes in a way a mags court can't set a binding precedent as they are the lowest criminal court - however they can set a precedent, and it can be referred to.
You're not wrong about magistrates and their 'curious interpretation of the law' though.
The problem here is the normal issue of media reporting. We don't get the whole story. I have lost count of time times a known high level criminal (think drug dealer/armed robber, normally both) is murdered, and the story in the media tells of a "family man, father of four". The one thing this job has taught me is to take everything in the media with a hefty helping of salt.