New ‘hate crime’ and ‘joy-riding’ laws introduced

Criminal Justice Minister John Spellar has today announced the implementation of new laws aimed at tackling ‘hate crime’ and ‘joy-riding’ in Northern Ireland.

The new laws will see the maximum penalties for causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and putting someone in fear of violence increase from five to seven years. The penalty for criminal damage increases from 10 to 14 years.

Announcing the introduction of the new legislation Mr Spellar said: “The Government will not tolerate racism, sectarianism, or hostility based on sexual orientation or disability in Northern Ireland. This new legislation brings much needed changes to the law, substantially strengthening the measures available to tackle crime motivated by such hatred.

“The new powers give judges greater powers in sentencing where hostility is proven, including increases in maximum sentences for a series of violent offences. Judges will now have additional powers to hand down sentences which fit the seriousness of the crime."

Under the new laws there will be a statutory requirement for judges to treat racial and religious aggravation and hatred of sexual orientation or disability as an aggravating factor when sentencing. It also creates new offences and heavier penalties to tackle car crime.

“The Government is also committed to tackling car crime in Northern Ireland and this legislation creates two new offences that will deal with crimes often termed as 'joy-riding'," the Minister said. "These new offences can attract appropriately heavy penalties of up to fourteen years in prison, again strengthening the powers available to the courts.

“Strong public support for these measures was voiced during public consultation and the Government believes these tough new laws will send out the message that these offences are totally unacceptable in Northern Ireland," he concluded.

(MB)