Tougher sentences scheme
PEOPLE from West Lancashire found guilty of crimes such as tipping off terrorists about an investigation or flouting terror prevention court orders could have their sentences increased if victims or the public think the punishment is too light.
Plans to change the unduly lenient sentence (ULS) scheme have been announced by the Ministry of Justice.
A further nine terrorist offences will be added to the list, which was expanded by 19 last July.
These include instances where a person learns of terrorist activity through their trade, profession or employment, and fails to report it to the police, such as an accountant discovering a client may be funding terrorism.
They also include offences related to breaching orders imposed to protect the public from terrorism, such as someone suspected of involvement in terrorist activity overseas, who returns to the UK, in breach of travel restrictions.
The scheme gives anyone the power to ask the Attorney General to review a sentence, who can then decide to refer a case to the Court Of Appeal.
An MoJ spokesman said that in 2016, a record 141 criminals had their sentences increased.
He said: “This is a small proportion of the 80,000 crown court cases heard each year, where in the clear majority the judiciary get it right, but the ULS scheme is there to allow adjustment of those sentences where an increase is warranted.”