Some England riot sentences 'too severe'
Jesus Christ, 4 years? I agree that they whouls be dealt with seriously, but imo 4 years is a bit of a long sentence. Yes, yes, it'll probably be cut, and they'll get out early, but as a provisional sentence, 4 years is a bit strong, surely?BBC wrote:
MPs and justice campaigners say some of the sentences given to those involved in the riots in England are too harsh.
On Tuesday two men were jailed for four years for using Facebook to incite riots and another was given 18 months for having a stolen TV in his car.
Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake said sentences "should be about restorative justice" not retribution.
But Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said tougher sentences would show there were consequences to disorder.
More than 2,770 people have been arrested in connection with last week's riots in a number of English cities.
By Tuesday afternoon, 1,277 suspects had appeared in court and 64% had been remanded in custody. In 2010 the remand rate at magistrates for serious offences was 10%.
On Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police announced that it has charged 1,005 people after 1,733 arrests over the rioting that swept through the capital. The force has a target of 3,000 convictions.
The force's Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin said the investigation was "far from over".
The courts and tribunals service says legal advisers in court have been advising magistrates to "consider whether their powers of punishment are sufficient in dealing with some cases arising from the recent disorder". Magistrates are able to refer cases to crown courts which have tougher sentencing powers.
A spokeswoman from the service said magistrates were independent and did not have to take direction from their legal advisors who are themselves independent of government.
'Lack of proportionality'
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What we can't do, in my view, in situations like this, is suddenly throw the rule book away simply because there's a groundswell of opinion”
John Cooper QC
Mr Brake told the BBC's Newsnight that some of those convicted had received sentences which would have been different if they had committed the same crime the day before the riots.
He said it should be about restorative justice rather than retribution.
The former chair of the Criminal Bar Association, Paul Mendelle QC, told BBC 5 live: "When people get caught up and act out of character, in a similar way, there is a danger that the courts themselves may get caught up in a different kind of collective hysteria - I'm not suggesting violence or anything like that - but in purporting to reflect the public mood actually go over the top and hand out sentences which are too long and too harsh."
But Mr Pickles told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We need to understand that people for a while thought that this was a crime without consequence - we cannot have people being frightened in their beds, frightened in their own homes for their public safety.
"That is why these kind of exemplary sentences are necessary. I think people would be rightly alarmed if that incitement to riot got off with just a slap on the wrist."
Lord McNally, Liberal Democrat Justice Minister, said the courts must operate independently and warned "it's dangerous when politicians try to do the sentencing".
for a fatty you're a serious intellectual lightweight.
