NORTH OFFENDERS’ SENTENCES INCREASED UNDER NEW SCHEME Criminals’ jail time review

LEE Irving’s tormenters are among a host of North East criminals slapped with heavier prison sentences under a government programme.

New figures show the Attorney General’s Office has ensured eight offenders from the region will serve an extra 20 years behind bars under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

Under the scheme, victims of crime and members of the public can ask for sentences to be reviewed.

The attorney or solicitor general then asks the Court of Appeal to review the sentence to have it increased if they believe the court made an error in sentencing.

And 10 cases in the North East, originally heard at either Newcastle or Teesside crown courts, were sent to the Court of Appeal because the original sentences were thought to be too low.

Of these, eight were increased, including two community sentences replaced with custodial ones. One of which related to a sexual offence.

In total, North East offenders will serve an extra 20 years in prison under the scheme.

Jeremy Wright QC, attorney general, said: “The ULS scheme allows victims of crime, their families and the public to challenge sentences they believe are too low, and last year we saw a record number of sentences increased.

“A sentencing exercise is not an exact science and, in the vast majority of cases, judges get it right. The scheme is available to ensure that the solicitor general and I can independently review those cases where there may have been an Two of Lee Irving’s tormentors have had sentences increased error in the sentencing decision.”

Two of the eight offenders include Julie Mills and Nicole Lawrence, who were involved in the death of vulnerable 24-year-old Lee Irving.

Lee, who had learning diffi- culties, was beaten to death before being dumped near to the A1 in Fawdon, Newcastle, in June 2015.

James Wheatley was convicted of Lee’s murder while Lawrence, his girlfriend, and Mills, his mother, were found Nicole Lawrence (left) and Julie Mills guilty of perverting the course of justice and causing or allowing the death of a vulnerable adult.

Mills, 52, and Lawrence, 22, wept in court as they were ordered to spend more time in prison.

Mills’ original eight-year sentence was increased to 10 years and Lawrence was told she would serve seven years instead of four.

Another North East offender had their original six years and four months manslaughter sentence increased by three years, while one saw their three years and six months sentence for wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm increased to six years.