Life sentencing consultation plans issued

A proposal to follow the lead of England and Wales and introduce starting-points for minimum life sentence terms for murder convictions in Northern Ireland, was issued for public consultation today.

It follows an announcment on Monday by Home Secretary, David Blunkett to introduce 'life to mean life' sentencing tariffs in specific instances.

Announcing the launch of the consultation paper, Mr Spellar said: "The Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001, which introduced new sentencing and release arrangements for life sentence prisoners in Northern Ireland, had been one of the key recommendations in the report of the Review of the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland and was the subject of a major consultation exercise.

"It is equally important that the proposal being launched today - to introduce starting-points for minimum terms in mandatory life sentence cases - should also be the subject of wide consultation in Northern Ireland.

"We want to hear how professional bodies, the voluntary sector, community groups and members of the public with an interest in criminal justice matters feel about the provisions and the appropriateness of their application to the sentencing framework in Northern Ireland. I would encourage all interested parties to participate fully in the consultation process which will run until 31 March 2004."

The provisions, which are the subject of this consultation paper, are contained in the Criminal Justice Act 2003 which came into force in England and Wales in December 2003.

They apply only to those persons convicted of murder who automatically receive a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. They do not apply to prisoners who receive a discretionary life sentence.

Commenting on the changes on Monday, Mr 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."

Today's announcement followed recent calls by Mid Ulster MLA, Billy Armstrong to extend the stiffer laws to include Nothern Ireland.

The Ulster Unionist MLA representative said he had already written to Mr Blunkett expressing such views.

“I have written to the Home Secretary directly and urged the Department to reconsider these foolish, irresponsible and inconsistent measures. All efforts must be made to ensure that there is no discrepancy in the sentencing given for the crime of murder regardless of where it is committed throughout the United Kingdom," he said.

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.

(MB)