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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Knife murder sentence to increase | Knife murder sentence to increase |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The minimum term for knife murders will increase from 15 to 25 years, the justice secretary has announced. | The minimum term for knife murders will increase from 15 to 25 years, the justice secretary has announced. |
| A review was launched after the parents of stab victim Ben Kinsella called for sentences more in line with the 30 year tariff for murder using a gun. | A review was launched after the parents of stab victim Ben Kinsella called for sentences more in line with the 30 year tariff for murder using a gun. |
| Jack Straw told MPs "thugs who carry knives with the intention of using them" would face longer terms. | Jack Straw told MPs "thugs who carry knives with the intention of using them" would face longer terms. |
| Ben, 16, died after he was stabbed fleeing a fight in Islington, north London, in June last year. | Ben, 16, died after he was stabbed fleeing a fight in Islington, north London, in June last year. |
| His killers were jailed for life and were all ordered to serve a minimum of 19 years in prison. | His killers were jailed for life and were all ordered to serve a minimum of 19 years in prison. |
| Mr Straw said he was writing to the Kinsella family to tell them the outcome of the review. | Mr Straw said he was writing to the Kinsella family to tell them the outcome of the review. |
| 'Considerable concern' | |
| He told the House of Commons a statutory instrument introducing the change would be introduced in Parliament and both houses would be able to discuss the proposal before Christmas. | |
| He said there had been "considerable concern" about the 15-year starting point for judges considering the minimum tariff after knife murder convictions. | |
| "I propose to introduce a new adult starting point of 25 years for murder using a knife or other weapon carried to the scene with the intention of use as a weapon," he said. | |
| "I am determined to do everything in my power to tackle the menace of knife crime on our streets," he added. | "I am determined to do everything in my power to tackle the menace of knife crime on our streets," he added. |