Latest news with #JudgeGordonKerr
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Belfast loyalist Winston Irvine's sentence referred to Court of Appeal
A sentence handed to leading Belfast loyalist Winston Irvine has been referred to the Court of Appeal. Irvine was sentenced to two-and-a-half years, with half to be served in jail, at Belfast Crown Court last month following an incident where firearms and ammunition were found in the boot of his car. The 49-year-old avoided a statutory five-year sentence on several of the charges he faced after Judge Gordon Kerr KC ruled that there were 'exceptional circumstances' in his case, namely Irvine's 'work for peace and his charity work in the community'. However, there was criticism by several political figures, including First Minister Michelle O'Neill, that the sentence had been too lenient. On Friday it was announced that Northern Ireland's Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Herron was referring the sentence to the Court of Appeal. The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) confirmed the referral has been lodged with the Court of Appeal. 'While sentencing is a matter for the independent judiciary, the Director of Public Prosecutions does have the power to refer particular sentences to the Court of Appeal on the grounds that they may be unduly lenient,' a PPS spokesperson said. 'An unduly lenient sentence is one that falls outside the range of sentences that a judge, taking into consideration all relevant factors and having regard to sentencing guidance, could reasonably impose. The sentence must not just be lenient but unduly lenient. 'After careful consideration of the sentence handed down in the case of Winston Irvine, including with the benefit of advices from independent Senior Counsel, we have determined that there is a sufficient legal basis to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal.' They said consideration was also given to the sentence handed down to Irvine's co-accused Adam Robinson Workman, 54, who was sentenced to five years imprisonment. But they said following careful consideration, it was determined that there was no legal basis on which to refer Workman's sentence to the Court of Appeal as potentially unduly lenient.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Winston Irvine 'unduly lenient' sentence to be appealed
The sentence given to Winston Irvine was unduly lenient and should be extended, according to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS). Irvine, 49, from Ballysillan Road in north Belfast, was given a two-and-a-half year sentence last month after admitting to firearm and ammunition offences. The sentence was half the minimum recommended term, with the judge citing "exceptional circumstances". The PPS said it will now appeal the sentence. Irvine's sentence – half of which is to be served on licence – was below the minimum sentence of five years and attracted criticism from some politicians. A spokesperson for the PPS told the BBC's The Nolan Show: "After careful consideration of the sentence handed down in the case of Winston Irvine, including with the benefit of advices from independent Senior Counsel, we have determined that there is a sufficient legal basis to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal." The PPS referral has now been lodged with the Court of Appeal. Irvine is currently serving his sentence on the segregated UVF wing at Maghaberry high security prison. During sentencing Judge Gordon Kerr KC said despite Irvine's guilty plea, he had declined to give any explanation to the police or the court for having the guns and bullets in the boot of his car. However, the judge said he did not consider the crimes to be connected to terrorism. The judge cited Irvine's "character and long-term commitment to peace building in Northern Ireland" among exceptional circumstances relating to the case. The court was told he had worked at the highest levels of government and had "devoted most of his adult life to peace". Court documents released to The Nolan Show revealed the extent of the character references provided to the court. They include letters from Loyalist Communities Council chair David Campbell, former Policing Board member and director of Northern Ireland Alternatives Deborah Watters, Gary Mason a Methodist Minister, as well as Dr Harold Good . The PPS said it would not be appealing the five year jail term handed to co-accused Robin Workman. Winston Irvine pleads guilty to firearms offences Winston Irvine sentence is 'too lenient', says first minister Winston Irvine to stand trial over gun charges
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Winston Irvine 'unduly lenient' sentence to be appealed
The sentence given to Winston Irvine was unduly lenient and should be extended, according to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).Irvine, 49, from Ballysillan Road in north Belfast, was given a two-and-a-half year sentence last month after admitting to firearm and ammunition sentence was half the minimum recommended term, with the judge citing "exceptional circumstances".The PPS said it will now appeal the sentence. Irvine's sentence – half of which is to be served on licence – was below the minimum sentence of five years and attracted criticism from some politicians.A spokesperson for the PPS told the BBC's The Nolan Show: "After careful consideration of the sentence handed down in the case of Winston Irvine, including with the benefit of advices from independent Senior Counsel, we have determined that there is a sufficient legal basis to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal."The PPS referral has now been lodged with the Court of Appeal. Irvine is currently serving his sentence on the segregated UVF wing at Maghaberry high security sentencing Judge Gordon Kerr KC said despite Irvine's guilty plea, he had declined to give any explanation to the police or the court for having the guns and bullets in the boot of his the judge said he did not consider the crimes to be connected to judge cited Irvine's "character and long-term commitment to peace building in Northern Ireland" among exceptional circumstances relating to the court was told he had worked at the highest levels of government and had "devoted most of his adult life to peace".Court documents released to The Nolan Show revealed the extent of the character references provided to the include letters from Loyalist Communities Council chair David Campbell, former Policing Board member and director of Northern Ireland Alternatives Deborah Watters, Gary Mason a Methodist Minister, as well as Dr Harold Good .The PPS said it would not be appealing the five year jail term handed to co-accused Robin Workman.
