Crime (Overseas Production Orders etc) Bill - Clause 30 - Child sex offences: grooming aggravating factor

This amendment aims to ensure that child sex offenders who engage in online grooming receive additional punishment, reflecting the severe nature of this aggravating factor. The purpose is to send a clear message to perpetrators that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

Mr. Butler agreed with Mr. Gale's proposals, noting that cases involving deepfake images and cuckooing have gained significant public attention and require urgent government action.

Mr. Wild appreciated the new clauses for enhancing judicial processes in serious cases, such as ensuring timely court appearances by offenders who would otherwise evade legal consequences.

Ms. Nokes highlighted the broader implications of deepfake technologies, beyond sexual imagery, which could be used to defame individuals or Members of Parliament without their consent.

Ms. Ford praised the Minister's efforts in addressing deepfake technologies, noting that industry responses such as app removals have already demonstrated positive impact.

Mr. Clark expressed appreciation for the Minister's role in championing new clauses, acknowledging her efforts in engaging with campaigners and legislative bodies to push forward these important measures.

Ms. Miller raised concerns about the approach taken by the Minister regarding consent issues in intimate image abuse, suggesting a need for consistency with existing frameworks like those established in the Online Safety Bill.

Ms. Phillips questioned whether proposed amendments adequately covered all instances of sexual offences against children and adolescents beyond rape.

Mr. Duncan Smith acknowledged the importance of new clauses in tackling cuckooing and ensuring victims are not coerced into providing consent, emphasising the need for clear guidance to law enforcement.

Mr. Carmichael critiqued Government new clause 102, expressing concerns over its potential to undermine human rights protections without a thorough legislative process.

Ms. Crouch thanked the Minister for addressing constituent issues and provided support for measures aimed at ensuring justice in cases like those involving David Fuller.

Mr. Neill expressed cautious optimism about the proposed agreements for prisoner transfers but raised questions regarding access to legal advice and family visits.

Ms. Edwards pressed the Minister on spiking offences, advocating for robust legislation that covers various intentions behind such acts to prevent offenders from evading justice.

Ms. Fletcher intervenes to suggest that ministers should not disregard cases made by MPs across the House, highlighting the need for consultation and consideration of multiple perspectives.

Mrs. Miller questions Mr. Cunningham's stance on new clause 86, expressing concern that it does not focus on the core issue of consent for image usage, which was a key part of the Online Safety Act.

Mr. Neill agrees with Mr. Cunningham's points regarding the need to prevent offenders from avoiding sentencing hearings, but raises concerns about the safety and training of prison staff who would be responsible for bringing defendants to court.

Called for conciseness in speeches and interventions. Did not take a stance on the amendment.

Emphasised that current legislation does not adequately address non-consensual intimate image abuse, making it difficult for victims to have their content removed. Advocated for treating such images in the same way as child sexual abuse material. Highlighted the need to make the creation of non-consensual content illegal.

[INTERVENTION] Suggested that a consent-based creation offence would be more effective than the current proposal, which could provide loopholes for online apps to evade legal consequences.

The regulatory framework is failing, allowing sewage spills to occur without proper accountability. New clauses would criminalize egregious acts of pollution and ensure justice for affected communities.

Proposes new clause 62 to address a gap in criminal law after the conviction of David Fuller. Emphasises that the current sentencing limit for sexual penetration of a dead body is inadequate and highlights the need for justice for victims’ families.

[INTERVENTION] Praises Mr. Clark's speech and pays tribute to police officers who identified the gap in law during a harrowing case involving David Fuller’s crimes.

Supports new clauses to mandate immediate reporting of traffic accidents and shorter timeframes for police notification. Cites Department for Transport's inaction despite public petitions and harrowing experiences heard in Committee meetings.

Members rose to speak but their specific contributions are not detailed in the provided text.

Ms Phillips presented new clauses to change terminology around sexual exploitation, decriminalise certain prostitution-related offences, address sentencing for strangulation in murder cases, and amend child sex offender legislation. She cited numerous examples of victim mistreatment under current laws, emphasising the need for legal recognition of adult grooming and economic abuse compensation.

Mr Duncan Smith interjected, agreeing that the issue revolves around recognising different types of vulnerabilities. He highlighted how abusers exploit these weaknesses.

Proposes new clause 57 to create an offence for causing death or serious injury through dangerous, careless or inconsiderate cycling. Argues that current laws are inadequate, highlighting cases where cyclists caused fatal accidents but were not adequately punished due to outdated legislation. Supports the need for criminal accountability and improved road safety measures.

Intervened to support Mr Duncan Smith’s point, suggesting that apparent confidence or arrogance in victims might hide underlying vulnerability, urging careful assessment behind such appearances to determine true vulnerability.

Asked Iain Duncan Smith about addressing penalties for driving without insurance as part of the broader discussion on road safety and victim support under the Criminal Justice Bill.

Supports new clause 16 to amend the Road Traffic Act 1988, addressing legal loopholes that prevent prosecution of dangerous driving on private land adjacent to highways. Cites a tragic incident involving Pearl Melody Black as an example where justice was denied due to this loophole. Emphasises the need for legislation change to ensure accountability and prevention of future tragedies.

Supports new clauses, stating they are necessary to protect children from the evolution of AI technology in the context of child sexual abuse. Cites statistics showing an increase in AI-generated images and the potential for these digital tools to lead to real-world physical offences.

Tributes Vicky Ford's work on new clauses 25 and 26, highlighting their importance in tackling online child sexual abuse. Emphasises the difficulty of dealing with such issues but acknowledges their service to the House.

While not directly addressing new clause 28, Elliot Colburn spoke in favour of a separate amendment (new clause 32) that seeks to align maximum penalties for hate crimes across all protected characteristics. He argued for equal treatment under the law and highlighted increasing rates of hate crime, especially against those based on disability status, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Mr. Paul Beresford proposes new clause 55 to establish an offence of child criminal exploitation, known as 'Fagin’s law', which would make it illegal for anyone to persuade a child to engage in criminal activity irrespective of whether the crime is committed. He highlights that existing legislation such as the Modern Slavery Act and Serious Crime Act do not adequately address this issue. Mr. Beresford cites examples from police officers who support his proposal, arguing that current laws are rarely used effectively for child protection.

Supports amendments to combat pimping websites, redefine human trafficking, address spiking offences, and tackle non-contact sexual offences. Cites Home Affairs Committee findings on the failure of collaboration with pimping websites and their role in facilitating trafficking. Advocates for specific criminal penalties for spiking to deter offenders and improve data collection. Supports new clause 86 to create an offence of creating a purported sexual image without consent.

Mr. Graham supports the inclusion of 'spiking' in law to address horrific crimes and improve record keeping for police data. He cites statistics from 2022 showing nearly 5,000 reported cases of spiking divided equally between needle and drink cases with a smaller number from food. The amendments aim to ensure clarity on attempts to spike and the inclusion of non-harmful substances intended to humiliate or entertain.

Congratulates Richard Graham on his amendments addressing spiking. Acknowledges cuckooing as a critical issue in vulnerable communities. Supports new clause 28 to address joint enterprise law issues, aiming for clarity and justice. Advocates for effective legal responses to hate crime via new clause 32, highlighting recent waves of disability hate crimes. Opposes the concept of prisons overseas due to concerns over limited family access, rehabilitation, and proper inspection arrangements.

Maria Miller supports new clauses and amendments that address intimate image abuse, parental responsibility after rape, and spiking. She expresses concern over Government amendment 86 as it does not adequately criminalise the making of non-consensual sexual images. She argues for a consent-based approach rather than an intention-based one to ensure all victims are protected.

Emma Lewell-Buck supports new clause 9, which aims to address lenient sentences for one-punch attacks and ensure reliable data on their prevalence. She cites Maxine Thompson-Curl's charity One Punch UK as an example of advocacy for stronger sentencing after losing her son Kristian in a one-punch incident. The speaker notes that perpetrators are often intoxicated and receive minimal sentences, averaging four years with some as low as four months. She highlights the importance of justice for grieving families and references Australian legislation which reduced such deaths by half within its first four years.

Intervenes to ask Neill if he will work with her on drafting a more legally sound clause addressing one-punch attacks.

Questions whether the term 'significant' is too vague for joint enterprise reform, suggesting that judges and magistrates are experienced in advising on such terms.

Suggests there is a need for legislative action across various areas but agrees with the approach of careful consideration rather than rushed legislation, advocating for cross-party work.

Introduced multiple new clauses aimed at addressing various criminal justice issues, including one-punch homicides, joint enterprise, and bladed articles. Emphasised the need for government action on these issues.

Argued against the Government's stance on joint enterprise, stating that thousands of young people and children have been incarcerated unfairly due to its misuse. Suggested a need for reform.

Introduced new clauses aimed at identifying offences related to child abuse facilitated through artificial intelligence, urging the government to work on future-proofing legislation.

Introduced new clause 32 to introduce protected characteristics to the Crime and Disorder Act, focusing on hate crimes. Emphasised the importance of considering all protected characteristics.

Addressed issues related to cyber-flashing and intimate image abuse, stressing the need for urgent review by the government.

Introduced an amendment concerning dangerous cycling offences, arguing for its importance in road safety.

Introduced new clauses 91 and 92 relating to water companies, aiming for stronger criminal sanctions against environmental pollution.

Addressed issues related to spiking, seeking clarification on intent and data collection. Emphasised the importance of recording such incidents accurately.