Stupidity and the law may be words frequently juxtaposed together, particularly for those of you who object to buying television licences or have been clocked travelling at thirty one miles per hour in a thirty limit. Nevertheless, there will be some who actually see the necessity for such laws (namely white, middle-aged men working in Whitehall). However, this book illustrates the foolishness of those who deliberately flaunt with the law, and such stupidity in this sense will no doubt be inconceivable to all.One such example is by one man in America filing an insurance claim for instances of ‘small fires’. Although this may appear to be reasonable behaviour, the twist arrives when you read that such ‘small fires’ were on cigars. Even more bizarrely was that his claim was successful! But before the smokers among you quickly dash down to your insurance office to collect those claim forms, bear in mind that like this man you may later face charges of arson!
Interestingly this book illustrates very few instances of dim-witted criminals from the UK, which either suggests our criminals are very intelligent or there is a problem somewhere else along the line; I will leave you to draw your own conclusions.
Although it is a simple read providing even the most solemn person with twitches of amusement, it could also be used as a physiological guide into the minds of criminal activity. Whether it be analysing the intentions of the overweight individual who decided to expose himself in order to gain entry to a building via the skylight (but then getting stuck), or the person who thought a good getaway would be to join a group of trainee police officers out for a run – this book displays areas of human behaviour that will amaze and confuse normal, rational people.
Whether you are a budding lawyer or just want to be able to have a good laugh at those whose intelligence lies between a goldfish and Homer Simpson, this short collection of cases will lead you either thirsty for more or depressed at the levels to which human stupidity can sink.
