This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tougher-penalties-for-knife-possession-will-mean-two-strikes-before-jail-9544355.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tougher penalties for knife possession will mean two strikes before jail | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| People caught twice with a knife will face prison sentences after a Conservative backbench proposal for tougher sentences was approved tonight with Labour’s backing. | People caught twice with a knife will face prison sentences after a Conservative backbench proposal for tougher sentences was approved tonight with Labour’s backing. |
| In an unusual Commons vote, Tory ministers abstained because their Liberal Democrat coalition partners would not endorse the crackdown, saying that sentences should be left to the discretion of judges. | In an unusual Commons vote, Tory ministers abstained because their Liberal Democrat coalition partners would not endorse the crackdown, saying that sentences should be left to the discretion of judges. |
| But the Labour frontbench and most Labour backbenchers voted for mandatory jail terms and MPs approved the Tory backbench plan by 404 votes to 53. | But the Labour frontbench and most Labour backbenchers voted for mandatory jail terms and MPs approved the Tory backbench plan by 404 votes to 53. |
| Under Tory amendments to the Criminal Courts and Justice Bill, adults would receive a minimum six-month jail term on their second conviction for carrying a knife, while 16-year-olds would be given at least a four-month detaining and training order. The measure will also need approval by the House of Lords. | Under Tory amendments to the Criminal Courts and Justice Bill, adults would receive a minimum six-month jail term on their second conviction for carrying a knife, while 16-year-olds would be given at least a four-month detaining and training order. The measure will also need approval by the House of Lords. |
| Sadiq Khan, the shadow Justice Secretary, said: “In opposition David Cameron promised that everyone caught carrying a knife would go to jail. After four years as Prime Minister and four years of broken promises, it’s not surprising that David Cameron and his ministers failed to support these measures. They have only been passed because of Labour support.” | Sadiq Khan, the shadow Justice Secretary, said: “In opposition David Cameron promised that everyone caught carrying a knife would go to jail. After four years as Prime Minister and four years of broken promises, it’s not surprising that David Cameron and his ministers failed to support these measures. They have only been passed because of Labour support.” |
| Labour warned that the tougher sentences could be delayed due to overcrowding in the prisons. | Labour warned that the tougher sentences could be delayed due to overcrowding in the prisons. |
| Nick de Bois, Tory MP for Enfield North, who proposed the move, claimed that many offenders treated the current sentences as "little more than an occupational hazard”. Despite a presumption in favour of prison, about 8,000 people received cautions and fines last year, he said. | Nick de Bois, Tory MP for Enfield North, who proposed the move, claimed that many offenders treated the current sentences as "little more than an occupational hazard”. Despite a presumption in favour of prison, about 8,000 people received cautions and fines last year, he said. |
| “Over 2,500 of those caught in possession of a knife last year were aged from 10 to 17," he added. | “Over 2,500 of those caught in possession of a knife last year were aged from 10 to 17," he added. |
| Andy Slaughter, the shadow Justice Minister, accused Nick Clegg of trying to "buff his tarnished liberal credentials" with a "cheap political stunt to throw a bone to his increasingly malnourished base". | Andy Slaughter, the shadow Justice Minister, accused Nick Clegg of trying to "buff his tarnished liberal credentials" with a "cheap political stunt to throw a bone to his increasingly malnourished base". |
| But Dr Julian Huppert, Lib Dem MP for Cambridge, said there had been a substantial decline in knife possession offences over the last three years. He added: "The question I think this House has to look at is whether we should be trying to take the thing that sounds the toughest or whether we should try to do the things that actually work." | But Dr Julian Huppert, Lib Dem MP for Cambridge, said there had been a substantial decline in knife possession offences over the last three years. He added: "The question I think this House has to look at is whether we should be trying to take the thing that sounds the toughest or whether we should try to do the things that actually work." |