Victims and public given more power to challenge ‘lenient’ judges
ANYONE who helps terrorists by tipping them off or failing to report them to police will feel the full force of the law, under new sentencing rules announced by ministers today.
Victims and the public will be able to challenge sentences given to criminals with terrorist links if they think judges have been too lenient.
The Government believes giving the public the right to demand longer sentences will act as a deterrent as well as disrupt plots involving some of the 3,000 suspects currently monitored by MI5 and counter-terrorism police.
This year’s attacks in Manchester and London have shown how rapidly plots can develop from the moment someone is first radicalised.
There are 23,000 people currently or previously of interest to anti-terrorist officers. Dominic Raab, the Justice Minister, says “relentless” action must be taken against “those who lurk in the criminal twilight zone around the key figures planning attacks”.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph today, Mr Raab says: “We are determined to wield the full force of the law to punish, deter and disrupt anyone supporting or linked to terrorism.”
The Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme already allows the public to challenge sentences for the most serious terrorist offences, but the Government today adds nine crimes that carry sentences ranging from two to seven years, including tipping off terrorists, failing to report matters to police, carrying out hoaxes using “noxious substances” and failure to comply with terrorism prevention and investigation measures.
Mr Raab writes: “The number of terrorists incarcerated following prosecution has doubled in four years. However, as the threat evolves our
‘We must focus, not just on those planning or carrying out attacks, but also on those who help or abet them’
strategy must adapt. We must focus, not just on those directly planning or carrying out attacks, but also on those who encourage, help or abet the ringleaders. Doing so drains support from – and disrupts – active terrorist groups.”
Under the scheme, victims and the public can ask the Attorney General to challenge prison sentences they regard as too light. The Court of Appeal then decides whether to increase sentences. Mr Raab described the scheme as “a valuable check in the system, giving victims and the public a stronger voice in our justice system”. In 2016, 141 criminals had their sentences increased by 400 years as a result of applications made under ULS. The changes take place on Jan 29.
♦ A record number of armed police will patrol New Year’s Eve celebrations in London in the wake of terrorist attacks in 2017. A ring of concrete and steel will be erected around main events, while armed officers and rapid reaction teams will be standing by.