The good and the bad of the sentencing reforms
Most episodes of the BBC comedy Porridge will contain a reference to remission, granted or removed and how it shapes an offender's journey. That's because from 1948 to 1991 it was embedded in the system.
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Telegraph
14 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Only serious punishment will deter shoplifters
Most acquisitive crimes such as burglaries and muggings are committed by a small number of offenders. The same is true of shoplifting. The great majority of people are law-abiding and would never dream of stealing. They are angered by the way in which the lawless minority can get away with their behaviour without any apparent penalty. If they are able to do so they will carry on stealing, targeting more shops. The obvious remedy is to ensure that prolific shoplifters are caught and punished, both to take them out of circulation and to demonstrate the consequences of their actions. It is called deterrence and our criminal justice system is supposedly founded on its nostrums. But that can no longer be said. Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures show that nearly six in 10 thieves with at least 15 previous offences avoided prison last year, the highest proportion since records began more than a decade ago. One offender with 315 previous convictions caught stealing a £495 designer handbag from Fenwicks store in Newcastle was given a 'last chance' by a court, despite breaching a suspended jail sentence and community order. People will be astonished to discover just how many crimes need to be carried out before a jail term is handed down. It has become even less likely that these crooks will be sent to prison given the backlog in court hearings and the overflowing prisons. The police are often blamed for refusing to investigate shoplifting or even burglaries. But they have a point if the criminals they apprehend are simply sent packing with a rap on the knuckles. Katy Bourne, Sussex's police and crime commissioner, said last week that the current system is madness. Most people would agree with her.
The Herald Scotland
44 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Donald Trump is ‘not a force for good' London Mayor says
The Labour politician said remarks such as those were 'water off a duck's back'. However, he told an event at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe it sometimes felt like he was 'nine years old again' and 'in the school playground'. But Sir Sadiq, speaking at the Political Party show with comedian Matt Forde, hit back at the US President, saying: 'Somebody who has views like he does about black people, about women, about gays, about Muslims, about Mexicans, thinks I'm nasty. 'Really. He is the leader of the free world, arguably the most powerful man in the world, and really.' He spoke out as he said that records showed since the middle of January this year – when Mr Trump began his second term in the White House – and July 'there have never been more Americans applying to British citizenship and living in London'. The Mayor said: 'So I think Americans have got good taste by and large.' He added that he hoped the President would come to London during his state visit to the UK next month, with Sir Sadiq stressing the 'diversity' of the capital was a 'strength, not a weakness'. Despite his comments about the US President, Sir Sadiq Khan said he would be 'happy' to meet Donald Trump (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Speaking about this diversity, he insisted: 'I think it makes us stronger not weaker, richer not poorer. 'And when President Trump says some of the things he does, it brings from the periphery to the mainstream, views that are potentially dangerous. 'He inadvertently – I'm not going to suggest he does it deliberately – he inadvertently could be radicalising people with views that could lead to them doing things that are dangerous.' He spoke out about fears that minorities 'could be treated less favourably because of the views of the President of the USA' as he accused Mr Trump of 'using London and our diversity as a political football, as a proxy for a culture war'. The London Mayor continued: 'On a personal level, it is water off a duck's back, but we can't run away from the fact that there are some really serious challenges we face as a western society and President Trump, in my view, I speak generally, isn't a force for good.' However he insisted that he would be 'more than happy to meet President Trump' saying he would seek to show him that it is 'possible to be proud to be a westerner and a proud to be Muslim, that it is possible to be British, and proud to be British, and be of Pakistani origin and be a law abiding citizen and we aren't three headed monsters'. The Labour politician said: 'I suspect President Trump may have formed a view of Muslims because of the actions of a small minority of really bad people who are terrorists and use Islam in a perverted way. 'What I would want President Trump to know is that is a very small fraction of Muslims across the globe. 'So if there was an opportunity to meet President Trump, I would be more than happy to do so.'
The Sun
44 minutes ago
- The Sun
Lucy Letby under 24-hour guard after being taunted by lags over her case coverage
BABY killer Lucy Letby is under 24-hour guard after lags taunted her over her case's coverage. Staff check every 15 minutes to ensure Britain's worst child murderer has not been attacked or harmed herself. It is part of an Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) order placed on Letby, 35, at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey. It comes amid claims Letby has become 'deluded' about winning her freedom after a campaign questioning her guilt. TV documentaries on BBC and ITV have looked into the case. Her barrister has also referred her convictions to the Criminal Cases Review Committee. A source said: 'She's been mercilessly mocked about all the documentaries about her. 'She's in the news so much she's become a target. "It has mostly been comments so far, but bosses are worried it'll escalate, hence the extra checks. 'The other reason is that she appears to have deluded herself she'll be out soon. "It's as if all the publicity's gone to her head. 'The ACCT was opened so they can keep an eye on her and help her cope with being infamous. Lucy Letby seen partying at pal's wedding while on bail for murdering seven babies in shock unseen photos "They also have to manage her expectations as Letby could be in for a very rude awakening.' Letby, who targeted infants at the Countess of Chester Hospital, was given a whole-life term after being convicted of seven murders and seven attempts in 2023. She got a 15th life term after being convicted of trying to kill a premature baby after a retrial. Private firm Sodexo, which runs Bronzefield, said it could not comment on individuals.
