Gareth Francis

Beddau RFC, Cardiff City, Pontypridd RFC and Glammy supporter. Family first.

[Leanne @LeanneSpurs]

It's kicking off in Southampton. Shame on each and every one of you who are turning this into a mess - you're not there for Henry, you're just thugs! 🤬

[Gareth Francis @gaffa55]

@YoungBobRB Fuck off!

[Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP @DrNShastriHurst]

This case has rightly shocked and appalled the public. The courage shown by one of the teenage victims in speaking openly about the lasting impact of both the crime and the sentence deserves all of our respect.

Public confidence in the justice system depends upon a simple principle: that sentences must fit the seriousness of the offence. In a case of this gravity, it is extraordinarily difficult to understand how a non-custodial sentence could be considered appropriate under the sentencing guidelines.

Whilst it is welcome that the Attorney General is reviewing the sentence, this case raises wider questions about the administration of justice. When sentences appear detached from both the severity of the crime and the expectations of ordinary people, faith in the system is inevitably undermined.

[Meeeeee @DonnaDlm71]

Imagine being a girl or woman having to battle almost impossible odds to even get your rapist to face trial in court. Discredited by the defence, brutalised by the CJS.
Only for the judge to applaud your rapist for his behaviour in court.
No wonder women dont trust the CJS.

[Laura Richards BSc, MSc, MBPsS @laurarichards99]

I’m still thinking about this. It’s great that this unduly lenient sentence is being reviewed BUT:
1. It should not take public outrage for this to happen in 2026;
2. The sentencing guidelines must be urgently reviewed;
3. Judge Nicholas Rowland must be removed. He chose to protect and praise serial rapists. No excuses. He must go.

[BBC News (UK) @BBCNews]

A girl who was raped by two teenage boys has told the BBC that a judge's decision to spare them jail sentences was like a "rock straight in my face".

The attorney general is to review the sentence given by Judge Nicholas Rowland, who had said on Thursday he wanted to avoid "criminalising" the "very young" boys.

Read more: https://t.co/5ghscSk0lm

[Mike Pannett, Author,TV Drama/Doc Development 🇬🇧 @MikePannett]

It’s always concerning to hear of police officers getting assaulted. Sadly, last night was no exception. Head butted, spat on repeatedly, bitten, kicked and hospitalised. Good men & women treated like punch bags. Almost zero consequences and no deterrent for offenders. 👎🏼😞

[Gareth Francis @gaffa55]

@CharlieEvans0 Well said Charlie! I hope she enjoys a long and distinguished career 👍🏻

[Gareth Francis @gaffa55]

Grown men who shout out as players tee off must have the brain functioning of over stimulated jellyfish. Morons #golf #USPGA

[Gareth Francis @gaffa55]

@MichelleDewbs @grahamwettone Total bollocks

[Gareth Francis @gaffa55]

@talkSPORT Every corner is a rugby scrum but somebody in a studio saw someone ruffle the goalkeeper’s hair! 😃🫣

[Jonny G 🇺🇦 @dontforgetchaos]

Hi @ZackPolanski , so you were “traumatised” watching that video?
Diddums
Try doing this job every day for 25-30 years. Try living with the cPTSD every day as a result. YOU’RE TRAUMATISED? How about some support for the people who keep you safe. Every day.

[Beth Rigby @BethRigby]

Mark Rowley on @SkyNews re his open letter to @ZackPolanski.

“I'm not getting involved in politics. I'm dealing with operations. I need my officers to have confidence to tackle the most difficult and dangerous individuals. Of course, there's always going to be sort of, sort of eccentricity and nonsense online.

“But if an eminent person steps into operational policing and, sort of criticises officers in a way that can undermine their confidence to act, I need to support that…. He has stepped into operational policing with his criticism & inaccuracies & I need to put that straight”

[Emma @MrsEmmaWebber]

I’m the Mum of Barnaby Webber, one of 3 innocent victims of the Nottingham attacks in 2023.
Where Valdo Calocane was allowed to roam the streets with a lengthy history of violence, assaults, hatred and mental illness because the health services feared the stigma of detaining him for his race and age above safety to the public.
Echoed by their colleagues in the Police and CPS.
……And still they all continue to defend their failures.
@KirstieMAllsopp please use your trusted voice to follow and support the #nottinghaminquiry if you can. Only be forcing this into the public arena and shouting from the rooftops will things ever change.
Even a like and or rt of my posts would help enormously. 🫶🙏

[Gareth Francis @gaffa55]

@philsteele1 It was a fantastic day ❤️

[Gareth Francis @gaffa55]

@Ioan_Dyer @Cardiff_Rugby That is the ultimate jobs worth right there!! Unreal Ioan. Jesus!! Can’t get my head around how that can be considered a security risk !
@miskinmatt … any ideas ??

[Whitchurch Heath CC 🏏 @wh_cc]

We are really saddened to have had our sight screens wrecked by vandals yesterday afternoon.

We are just a volunteer-run community club, working hard to invest in our facilities for the benefit of the local community and the hundreds of people who play with us of all ages (1/2)

[Gareth Francis @gaffa55]

@philsteele1 @NewportRFC @cardiffmet @ChristColBrecon Looks like a good night 👍🏻

[Gareth Francis @gaffa55]

@PeterMooreUSA @Graham_Thomas Thank God we, in Wales decided to boycott the World Cup by deliberately missing those penalties! 😳. FIFA are corrupt to the core; shall give this one a miss!

[Simon Thomas Rugby @simonrug]

All three Welsh teams gave really good accounts of themselves on the road in the Challenge Cup last 16, with Cardiff and the Ospreys coming tantalising close to winning and the Dragons pulling off a thrilling victory in Paris.
Hats off to them all.