Child sex fiends and wife-beaters face tougher prison terms as Justice Secretary Robert Buckland vows to extend scheme allowing victims to challenge soft sentences
- Convicted paedophiles and domestic abusers could face tougher prison terms
- Measure may be extended which allows victims to challenge soft sentences
- Currently, the unduly lenient sentence scheme is reserved for certain crimes
Convicted paedophiles, stalkers and domestic abusers face tougher prison terms under Government reforms.
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland will today vow to extend a measure which allows victims or members of the public to challenge soft sentences.
Currently, the unduly lenient sentence scheme is reserved for certain crimes, including murder, rape and robbery.
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland will today vow to extend a measure which allows victims or members of the public to challenge soft sentences (file image)
Currently, the unduly lenient sentence scheme is reserved for certain crimes, including murder, rape and robbery (file image)
Mr Buckland (pictured) said: ‘Sentences are decided by our independent judiciary, but it is absolutely right that victims have a voice in the system when punishments don’t appear to fit the crime’
But this autumn 14 further offences are being added to the list, including child sexual abuse, stalking, harassment, and coercive and controlling behaviour.
Mr Buckland said: ‘Sentences are decided by our independent judiciary, but it is absolutely right that victims have a voice in the system when punishments don’t appear to fit the crime.’
Under the scheme, people can ask the Government to examine sentences they believe to be unduly lenient.
The Court of Appeal may then be asked to look at the sentence. Last year 99 criminals had their jail terms toughened up.