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05/01/2004
'Life' tariff increased for heinous murders
From today, the start of the new legal year, life will mean life for the most heinous murderers.
For the first time, trial judges sentencing murderers will use the new stiffer sentencing framework, set out by Parliament and enshrined in the Criminal Justice Act 2003, to determine how long a murderer should spend in prison before being considered for release on life licence.
Under the guidelines, police killers can expect substantially higher tariffs whereby the minimum term for the murder of a police officer in the course of duty starts at 30 years.
The Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "Murder is the most serious and abhorrent of crimes. The effect that such tragic loss of life has on individuals, families and whole communities is immeasurable.
"Parliament has agreed the new framework which means that the most dangerous and evil people in our society will stay in prison for longer."
He added: "The death penalty for murder was abolished in faith that the criminal justice system would continue to treat the offence with the utmost gravity. The new sentencing principles for murder will help to increase the public's confidence in the criminal justice system's ability to deal appropriately with these most serious crimes by providing adequate punishment for the guilty and adequate public protection."
According to the Criminal Justice Act 2003, after 18 December 2003 life will mean life for multiple murders (two or more) that show a substantial degree of premeditation, involve abduction of the victim prior to the killing or are sexual or sadistic.
Whole life tariffs will also be handed down for: murder of a child following abduction or involving sexual or sadistic conduct; terrorist murder; and murder where the offender has been previously convicted of murder.
Second level, attracting a starting point of 30 years, will be applied for: murder of police and prison officers during course of duty; murder involving the use of a firearm or explosive; killing done for gain; race, religion or sexual orientation motivated murder; and single sadistic or sexual murder of an adult.
Previously, the Home Secretary could set minimum tariffs on sentences but that right has been revoked since November 2002 when the House of Lords ruled that this power was not compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
(gmcg)
For the first time, trial judges sentencing murderers will use the new stiffer sentencing framework, set out by Parliament and enshrined in the Criminal Justice Act 2003, to determine how long a murderer should spend in prison before being considered for release on life licence.
Under the guidelines, police killers can expect substantially higher tariffs whereby the minimum term for the murder of a police officer in the course of duty starts at 30 years.
The Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "Murder is the most serious and abhorrent of crimes. The effect that such tragic loss of life has on individuals, families and whole communities is immeasurable.
"Parliament has agreed the new framework which means that the most dangerous and evil people in our society will stay in prison for longer."
He added: "The death penalty for murder was abolished in faith that the criminal justice system would continue to treat the offence with the utmost gravity. The new sentencing principles for murder will help to increase the public's confidence in the criminal justice system's ability to deal appropriately with these most serious crimes by providing adequate punishment for the guilty and adequate public protection."
According to the Criminal Justice Act 2003, after 18 December 2003 life will mean life for multiple murders (two or more) that show a substantial degree of premeditation, involve abduction of the victim prior to the killing or are sexual or sadistic.
Whole life tariffs will also be handed down for: murder of a child following abduction or involving sexual or sadistic conduct; terrorist murder; and murder where the offender has been previously convicted of murder.
Second level, attracting a starting point of 30 years, will be applied for: murder of police and prison officers during course of duty; murder involving the use of a firearm or explosive; killing done for gain; race, religion or sexual orientation motivated murder; and single sadistic or sexual murder of an adult.
Previously, the Home Secretary could set minimum tariffs on sentences but that right has been revoked since November 2002 when the House of Lords ruled that this power was not compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
(gmcg)
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'Life means life' for murderers says Blunkett
Under new proposals on sentencing for murderers, "life will mean life" for what the Home Secretary describes as "the most serious offenders". The new sentencing 'principles' provide that anyone who abducts and murders a child should never be released from prison.
09 May 2003
Victims to get say in sentencing
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15 May 2013
Theresa May To Tell Police Conference 'Life To Mean Life'
The Home Secretary will tell the Police Federation conference that murderers of police officers will be given whole-life sentences and be left to die in prison.
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30 March 2010
First Victims' Commissioner Appointed
Louise Casey has been appointed as the UK's first independent Victims' Commissioner, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced today. Today's announcement comes as part of a package of reforms designed to improve the support and services available to victims and witnesses.
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Louise Casey has been appointed as the UK's first independent Victims' Commissioner, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced today. Today's announcement comes as part of a package of reforms designed to improve the support and services available to victims and witnesses.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Scattered showers of rain, sleet and, over hills, snow in the morning with sunny spells, the best of these in the south. The showers dying out this afternoon with increasing amounts of sunshine. Occasionally fresh westerly or northwesterly winds easing. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.
