Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme

Thursday 6 July 2023 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The unduly lenient sentence scheme remains an important tool for ensuring appropriate sentences for serious crimes.
  • Last year, 139 cases were referred to the Court of Appeal under the scheme.
  • The sentence was increased in just under 70% of those referred cases.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jack Brereton Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The question arises from the ongoing assessment of a programme designed to ensure appropriate sentences for serious crimes.

Question

What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the unduly lenient sentence scheme. Last year, 139 cases were referred to the Court of Appeal and the sentence was increased in just under 70% of those cases.

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

The unduly lenient sentence scheme remains an important tool, ensuring appropriate sentences for the most serious crimes. Last year, we referred 139 cases to the Court of Appeal and the sentence was increased in just under 70% of those cases.

Answered
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Q2 Jack Brereton Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The question relates to a specific case of a child sex offender whose sentence was reported as non-custodial, raising concerns among constituents.

Question

I thank the Solicitor General for his response. He will recall that I contacted him on behalf of a number of my constituents about a child sex offender in my constituency. Our local newspaper, the Stoke Sentinel, reported the sentencing of that offender beneath the headline, “Pervert Walks Free From Court”. My constituents are rightly concerned that such serious offenders can receive a non-custodial sentence. Given that my right hon. and learned Friend has been unable to intervene, will he review the way in which such offending is evaluated, so that such cases can be considered?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

I am very grateful to my hon. Friend for his question and for raising this case. He is a great champion for Stoke-on-Trent. He will understand that I cannot comment on individual cases, but it is right to say that the threshold or test for undue leniency is a high one. In the vast majority of cases the Crown court judges get the sentence right, and the Court of Appeal will grant permission only in exceptional circumstances.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific review requested but not committed to directly

How: Cannot Comment On Individual Cases

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