Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir And Mazhar Majeed Shouldn’t Have Bothered With Lawyers
HOW successful were the lawyers in keeping former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, 27, Mohammad Asif, 28, Mohammad Amir, 19, and the corrupt agent Mazhar Majeed out of jail?
Butt’s lawyer Ali Bajwa:
“He has gone from a national hero to being a figure of contempt. He has lost almost everything. There is only his liberty and his family left to lose. What purpose would a custodial sentence serve?’
Salman Butt: jailed for 30 months
Asif’s lawyer, Alexander Milne QC:
He said it would be “laughable if it were not so serious” if one no-ball was to ruin the 28-year-old’s his career.
Mohammad Asif: jailed for one year
Amir’s lawyer Henry Blaxland:
“We want to lay to rest that he had a prior corrupt relationship with other people about cheating. These no-balls were the first time that he was involved in fixing.”
Mohammad Amir: jailed for six months
Majeed’s lawyer Mark Millikin- Smith:
“Nothing I say can detract from the shame and regret he feels in admitting his involvement. He knows that he must be punished for what he has done. It took courage and remorse for Majeed to plead guilty. We hope he attracts full credit for pleading guilty at the first opportunity.”
Mazhar Majeed: jailed for two years and eight months
Amir is at Feltham Young Offenders Insititute; the others three are in Wandsworth prison. The players were also ordered to pay compensation towards cost of the prosecution (Butt £30,937, Asif £8,120, Aamer £9,389).
And then there are those lawyers’ fees…
You can’t help but think the four would have better served themselves had they not got lawyers, admitted guilt immediately and then thrown themselves on the mercy of the court. If they sold out for money, why give it away so easily to the suits?
Posted: 3rd, November 2011 | In: Key Posts, Sports Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
