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MERSEYSIDE JUDGES CRITICISED OVER GUN CRIME SENTENCING

In the wake of 11 year old Rhys Jones’ murder last year, Merseyside Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe has aired his belief that judges should not overlook the mandatory five year sentences for possession of a firearm. Such tragic events have made gun crime a hugely emotive issue on Merseyside. There was a public outcry in Liverpool earlier this year when two men, arrested by police in possession of 11 guns, were released on bail before their trial.

Indeed, figures show that in 2005, around only 40% of offenders were given the minimum sentence, and even the Ministry of Justice has said that the five year term was merely a “starting point”. However Mr. Hogan-Howe feels that this is simply not satisfactory, and would like to see ten year sentences being given to those who actually fire a weapon.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Hogan-Howe said his comments were not an “attack on judges, or a condemnation of them”, but he does admit that sometimes mitigating factors overshadow the true extent of the crime. In October last year, for example, a judge at Manchester Crown Court jailed Natasha Peniston for three years, rather than the mandatory five, for possession of a gun which accidentally killed her daughter Kamilah as her son Kasha played with it. Sentencing her, Mr Justice Holland said there were exceptional circumstances to justify her not receiving the mandatory term, as she had been “prevailed upon” by a boyfriend to look after the weapon.

The Liberal Democrats’ home affairs spokesman, Chris Huhne, has also spoken out, explaining that “there is an increasing disparity” between what the government says about penalties and the sentences which judges actually hand down to the offenders.

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