A lot of these magistrates want locking up as well.
They don't make the laws UncleUB - they are provided with sentencing guidelines and have to follow them. In addition, they are guided by the court clerk.
Also, according to the report, the case was heard in the Crown Court, which is due to the large amount of money involved. The magistrates would not have had sufficient sentencing powers to deal with it.
I agree that the case does seem a bit bizarre, however.
Having had some experience of Good Old British Justice (this side) I can safely say that it really doesn't exist.
