Tougher penalties for terrorists in sentencing review

TERRORISTS who download online content to assist in their crimes can be jailed for up to 14 years under fresh sentencing guidelines.

The Sentencing Council guidance for magistrates and judges, which comes into force on October 1, will reflect increases in maximum penalties and other reforms introduced by the Counter-terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 and the Counter-terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021.

The revisions include guidance on sentencing criminals who meet the criteria for a “serious terrorism sentence” if convicted of preparation of terrorist acts and explosive substances.

The new sentence carries a minimum penalty of 14 years behind bars.

The guidelines, effective in courts in England and Wales, will also reflect changes in the law allowing those prosecuted for the “encouragement of terrorism” to receive a maximum of 15 years in prison, up from seven.

Those who view or download online material to use for a terrorist act can now be handed up to 14 years in jail. There is also an increase from 10 to 14 years’ maximum prison sentence for offences relating to membership and support of terrorist causes.