A desperate man

Awww thats really bad that he is getting in trouble for it. If its in the bin its obviously not wanted. The english laws are so stupid these days. Thats real harsh especially as it was for his kids!

I always thought that if somebody else had thrown something away, why not let people take it if it's useful to them. But apparently there's a law against that where you are? (probably here too)

I think its crap that he would get any kind of charge, let alone a prison term. I guess its against the law to go through a rubbish tip. Surely there are services where people can get free christmas presents for their kids! In Australia we have the Salvation Army and others who will provide fre christmas presents. And only getting 20 pounds a week to live on? Good grief, what is he supposed to do? I hope the community and social services are taking action on this sad situation.

Hey max, life just doesn't deal an even hand, does it? Throught the world there are millions in similar situations, we don't realise how lucky we are. I feel down about being seperated from my wife for a year, but that's being selfish when I consider how other's survive.

I wonder if people who hear of his case won't step in and help him despite what kind of sentence he gets. The more people hear about this, the better. I feel very sorry for him. And I wonder if there was any church or center where he could have gotten help. On the other hand, if he goes to jail, he'll probably get more food than he's had in months. Of course, that wouldn't be good for his family...

I think it's too bad that he will get charged with anything. I hope the judge will get him community service and I hope it leads to a job. I wish he had considered making things, but maybe he lives in an appartment and truly has nothing or had to sell everything to pay bills. Here, we have places where the poor can turn to get presents for their children during Christmas when a family is poor.

maximax8, Unfortunately, I must reinstate that "Justice is Blind" and the law is the law here. Break it and you will just have to face the consequences. I know and am equally sympathetic with this man's plight. He should have been looked around, watched his own back and seeks out a more viable plus LEGAL option. I hate to be in his shoes but if I have 5 kids on the tow, believe me I'd be looking hard elsewhere where it will not jeopardize myself and my children. Not that I advocate breaking the law, but he should have been streetwise and careful here. I mean look at other "bin pickers" who weren't caught till to this day. Take care.

Where I live if you throw it in a trash bin or dumpster then it is public property basically. You did not want it and so you can't throw a fit if someone takes it. We call it dumpster diving. Drive around and see what folks have put out by their trash, often people will throw out furniture this way so that people who need it can just pick it up for free.

dear max, we all know life sometimes isnt fair. sometimes the laws are the things that makes a person more desperate. rather than help a person in need, it pins him down. a really crazy world. i really pray for that person to find a job and more money for his 5 children. i hope the wife help and just not stay in the house. ann

That's terrible maximax! I am feeling terribly sorry for him! Five children! Out here, if anybody was like that, he would have openly become a drunkard or robber. What are you all thinking trying to punish a fellow who didn't resort to such a thing inspite of such problems! Sometimes law is insane, this is just one of those cases.

Laws are laws, but its gonna be the job of the defending attorney to uphold his client. yes it is weird but if we permit people to wander from bin to bin, its gonna be a catastrophe. I believe that laws are written to preserve the interest of the people and just for bin crashers, please dont get this wrong, there are a hundred more ways to give presents, a hug and kiss would have been enough.

That is a tough sentance for a man trying to look out for his kids. But it is obviously a law that was made for a reason. If you think about it in the light of what is the difference between him going through the garbage to get gift or to take ones idenity, he was still going through the garbage. It is a shame that he will have to be sentence but maybe the courts will have some mercy on him as he was not doing anything to be a menace.

awww i feel sad about reading this story. so sad to hear it. i reckon your law is quite sucks am sorry but thats what i think. well atleast he tried his best for the benefits of his kids and i think what he did is better than stealing

A lot of the waste management sites were at one point managed by private individuals who actually made their living from raiding them and selling on the goods for repair or as used goods, I heard of a few stories of great finds such as antiques etc, the Council took them all back to be council run, now we have stupid laws that say once its tipped its no longer anyones and the Council get to keep it for recycling, or land fill, the person was indeed recycling and shouldnt be penalised for this...