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PM plans whole-life jail terms for more child killers | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The government is planning changes to the law aimed at bringing in longer sentences for some of England and Wales' worst criminal offenders. | The government is planning changes to the law aimed at bringing in longer sentences for some of England and Wales' worst criminal offenders. |
The Sunday Telegraph says the measures could affect the sentencing of murderers of pre-school age children. | The Sunday Telegraph says the measures could affect the sentencing of murderers of pre-school age children. |
The government also wants violent and sexual offenders to serve at least two thirds of their terms, the paper said. | The government also wants violent and sexual offenders to serve at least two thirds of their terms, the paper said. |
The prime minister plans to use next month's Queen's Speech to introduce the changes, according to the Telegraph. | The prime minister plans to use next month's Queen's Speech to introduce the changes, according to the Telegraph. |
These could be contained in a Sentencing Bill or a statutory instrument, a form of secondary legislation which can be brought in without Parliament having to pass a new Act. | These could be contained in a Sentencing Bill or a statutory instrument, a form of secondary legislation which can be brought in without Parliament having to pass a new Act. |
The government would not give any detail of the planned law changes. | The government would not give any detail of the planned law changes. |
But a Ministry of Justice spokesperson did say Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered an urgent review into sentencing policy last month and would bring forward proposals "shortly". | But a Ministry of Justice spokesperson did say Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered an urgent review into sentencing policy last month and would bring forward proposals "shortly". |
Currently, judges sentencing murderers of children in cases which involve abduction or a sexual or sadistic motivation can consider a whole-life order - or "life means life" order, which means the offender will never be released from prison. | |
Rosemary West, who was convicted in 1995 of murdering 10 young women and girls after first subjecting them to horrific sexual violence, is in prison on a whole life order. | Rosemary West, who was convicted in 1995 of murdering 10 young women and girls after first subjecting them to horrific sexual violence, is in prison on a whole life order. |
It is possible the government might try to broaden part of Schedule 21 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 which provides a "starting point" for judges considering whole-life orders for murderers in exceptionally grave cases. | |
Where there is no evidence of abduction or a sexual or sadistic motivation in a child murder case, the offender must still be given a life sentence. | Where there is no evidence of abduction or a sexual or sadistic motivation in a child murder case, the offender must still be given a life sentence. |
A life sentence differs from a whole-life order in that a judge can specify the minimum term they must spend in prison before becoming eligible to apply for parole. | |
Once released, an offender remains on licence for the rest of their life and can be recalled to prison at any time. | Once released, an offender remains on licence for the rest of their life and can be recalled to prison at any time. |
Other measures from Mr Johnson, outlined in the Telegraph, include: | Other measures from Mr Johnson, outlined in the Telegraph, include: |
Analysis: Message appeals to voters' crime concerns | Analysis: Message appeals to voters' crime concerns |
By Peter Saull, BBC political reporter | By Peter Saull, BBC political reporter |
The exact nature of the changes to sentencing are not yet clear, but this is a further attempt from the Boris Johnson government to appeal to voters' concerns over crime. | The exact nature of the changes to sentencing are not yet clear, but this is a further attempt from the Boris Johnson government to appeal to voters' concerns over crime. |
Downing Street has a three-pronged strategy - deliver Brexit, defend the NHS and get tough on crime. | Downing Street has a three-pronged strategy - deliver Brexit, defend the NHS and get tough on crime. |
The plans for stronger sentencing guidelines follow announcements on extra police officers and an extension of stop and search powers. | The plans for stronger sentencing guidelines follow announcements on extra police officers and an extension of stop and search powers. |
It's a message that is likely to appeal to traditional Conservative voters but also Labour voters worried about rising crime levels. | It's a message that is likely to appeal to traditional Conservative voters but also Labour voters worried about rising crime levels. |
Boris Johnson is yet to secure the general election he craves, but the campaign has been under way for some time. | Boris Johnson is yet to secure the general election he craves, but the campaign has been under way for some time. |
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