Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Sentencing Policy

Tuesday 16 March 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial decisions on sentencing are left to judges based on individual case facts.
  • The maximum penalty for possessing indecent images of children is 10 years' imprisonment.
  • Community sentences can address mental health, drug addiction, or alcohol issues to reduce reoffending.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ben Bradley Con
Justice & Courts
Context

Inquires about the fairness and effectiveness of sentencing policies in light of a Nottinghamshire man convicted for possessing extreme child pornography, receiving an unusually lenient sentence.

Question

What steps he is taking to ensure the (a) fairness and (b) effectiveness of sentencing policy. This month, a Nottingham removal man was convicted of possessing 8,000 indecent images and videos of children ranging from 15 to just one year old, with many classed as category A or extreme child pornography. He received a two-year suspended sentence unlikely ever to see the inside of a prison cell. Will my hon Friend look again at guidance that says that a suspended sentence is the same as a custodial one?

Answer from Chris Philp (Member of Parliament)

Individual sentencing decisions are for judges based on case facts. We take seriously cases like described, noting maximum penalty for indecent images is 10 years' imprisonment. If anyone feels sentence is too light, I strongly urge them to apply under the unduly lenient sentence scheme within 28 days.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request regarding revising sentencing guidance was not directly addressed with a concrete commitment.

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Q2 Ben Bradley Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Refers to the case of an individual convicted for possession of extreme child pornography and highlights inconsistency with proposed tougher sentencing measures.

Question

This month, a Nottinghamshire removal man was convicted of possessing 8,000 indecent images and videos of children ranging from 15 to just one year old, with many classed as category A or extreme child pornography. This man received a two-year suspended sentence unlikely ever to see the inside of a prison cell. Will my hon Friend look again at guidance that says that a suspended sentence is the same as a custodial one?

Answer from Chris Philp (Member of Parliament)

Individual sentencing decisions are obviously for the judge, but we take seriously cases like described. The maximum penalty is 10 years' imprisonment. Anyone feeling sentence too light can apply under the unduly lenient sentence scheme within 28 days.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request regarding revising sentencing guidance was not directly addressed with a concrete commitment.

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Q3 Anne McLaughlin SNP
Justice & Courts
Context

Refers to Scotland's success in reducing reoffending rates through community-based rehabilitation programs, contrasting it with the UK's harsher sentencing policies.

Question

Reconviction rates in Scotland are at a 21-year low. That is because of the community justice approach of the SNP Government for less serious crimes. Even the Minister has admitted that harsher sentencing has limited or no general deterrent effect. If he truly aspires to reduce reoffending, will he consider a community justice approach?

Answer from Chris Philp (Member of Parliament)

We accept that for less serious offences, community sentences have a role to play. We are keen to roll out community sentence treatment requirements to treat mental health, drug addiction or alcohol problems as health issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific question about adopting Scotland's approach was not directly addressed with a concrete commitment.

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