Court review: Scrap prison time discounts for late guilty pleas and 'make sentences match the crime', calls UUP's Doug Beattie
Reductions to prison sentences must be scrapped when a criminal pleads guilty on the verge of their trial.
That’s according to UUP MLA Doug Beattie, who called on a new review of Northern Ireland’s sentencing procedures to take a firmer hand with perpetrators of serious crime.
Announced today by Justice Minister Naomi Long, the review is to look at whether the province’s court trial policies need to be altered, including whether there should be stiffer sentences for the manslaughter of a member of the emergency services while they’re on duty, as well as examining legislation around serious sexual crimes, drugs, fireworks, animal welfare, and environmental offences.
The use of ‘good character’ evidence in court cases will also be considered, as will sentencing guidelines and bringing Northern Ireland in line with recent developments in England and Wales.
Welcoming the review, UUP justice spokesman Mr Beattie maintained that it must look at “fundamental changes” needed to make sure “sentences match the crime, which will give society confidence in our criminal justice system”.
Under the current system, criminals have their sentences reduced if they plead guilty before their trial, as that’s held to save victims the trauma of testifying and being cross-examined. Mr Beattie thinks that should only happen if the guilty plea comes well in advance of the trial.
“I have been particularly vocal on the need to review, and change, how perpetrators receive sentence credit for extremely late guilty pleas,” he said. “I do not believe that 20% to 25% off a sentence for a guilty plea as late as the day the trial starts is fair on the victims or society.
“I have also called for our judiciary, which must remain independent, to be given support with the establishment of a sentencing council that can give direction and ensure sentences match the crime.”
Adding he’s been calling for a review for some time, he said he believes that transparency on how penalties for crimes are formulated would “give the public confidence in our judiciary and a better understanding of sentence application”.
Recommendations from the current review will be sent out to public consultation, the Executive has said.
The Justice Minister stated that sentencing “often involves complex considerations and requires a delicate balance to be struck between the rights of defendants on the one hand and the needs and expectations of victims and the public generally on the other”.
It’s the job of an independent judiciary to deliver fair and appropriate sentences, she said, adding the role of government is to “provide a flexible and robust sentencing framework which is fit for purpose, and within which the judiciary can exercise its judicial function effectively.”
She stated: “The aim of this review is to identify proposals to strengthen the sentencing framework in relation to particular types of offences, to ensure that it continues to be effective and proportionate. The review will also consider the extent to which current arrangements represent an effective sentencing guidelines mechanism and explore the need for reform in Northern Ireland.
“The review will also take account of recent developments in sentencing policy in other jurisdictions, including England and Wales, and identify potential options for equivalent reform in Northern Ireland.”