“When people are rightly angry it’s the duty of the courts to punish more severely – but not to do as the government tells them.”
The Guardian, 18th August 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“Lawyers have recounted extraordinary scenes both of chaos and professional dedication over the past 10 days, as defence solicitors, prosecutors, magistrates and court staff worked through the night to deal with the unprecedented number of people arrested in the wake of last week’s riots across England.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 18th August 2011
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“Crown courts could face a glut of appeals in response to the speed at which defendants were dealt with last week, when some magistrates’ courts worked through the night to process defendants.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 18th August 2011
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“As the courts deal with offenders following the recent riots across the UK, the Ministry of Justice explains how our sentencing system works.”
Ministry of Justice, 17th August 2011
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
“New guidelines to advise judges and magistrates on handing out exemplary justice to people implicated in major civil disturbances are likely in the wake of the thousands of court hearings arising from last week’s riots.”
The Independent, 18th August 2011
Source: www.independent.co.uk
“The government says it wants to send out a message. But is there any moral justification for such tough punishments?”
The Guardian, 17th August 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“A 17-year-old who posted a Facebook message saying ‘come on rioters’ has been banned from social networking sites for 12 months.”
The Guardian, 17th August 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“It is axiomatic that judicial discretion is at the heart of a humane criminal justice system but unbridled discretion can lead to discrimination, injustice and disproportionality – as we are learning. But, sentencing offenders, particularly juveniles, is a demanding and complex business. It is beset with the conflicting aims and ideals of the system itself, let alone the variety and nature of the offences and offenders. As criticism grows of some sentences imposed on convicted rioters, it is useful to examine how judges arrive at their decisions.”
The Guardian, 17th August 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“Civil liberties groups have warned that the court system will be clogged with appeals by people convicted of riot-related offences seeking to overturn lengthy terms of imprisonment.”
The Guardian, 17th August 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“The government’s former terror adviser has intervened in the row over the sentencing of people who took part in last week’s riots, accusing ministers of appearing to ‘steer’ the courts into handing down the more stringent sentences.”
The Guardian, 17th August 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“A man who inflicted ‘catastrophic injuries’ with a single punch in an unprovoked attack has been jailed for three years.”
The Independent, 16th August 2011
Source: www.independent.co.uk
“Three men thought to be among the first in England to appear at crown court after last week’s riots and looting have been jailed for up to two years.”
BBC News, 16th August 2011
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
“MPs and justice campaigners say some of the sentences given to those involved in the riots in England are too harsh.”
BBC News, 17th August 2011
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
“Two men who posted messages on Facebook inciting other people to riot in their home towns have both been sentenced to four years in prison by a judge at Chester crown court.”
The Guardian, 16th August 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“New CPS guidance is hard to square with 2001 judgment against ‘naming and shaming’ of young offenders.”
The Guardian, 16th August 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“In light of recent rioting across England, Colin Wynter QC believes a sympathetic application of a strict law can be necessary for victims of crime.”
The Lawyer, 15th August 2011
Source: www.thelawyer.com
“No 10 has conceded to Labour demands for a formal commission to investigate the causes of last week’s riots after behind-the-scenes cross-party talks coordinated by the Liberal Democrats.”
The Guardian,
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“Magistrates are being advised by the courts service to disregard normal sentencing guidelines when dealing with those convicted of offences committed in the context of last week’s riots.”
The Guardian, 15th August 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“A London council is trying to evict a tenant whose son has appeared in court charged in connection with rioting and looting at Clapham Junction.”
BBC News, 12th August 2011
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
“David Cameron has said that the Government wants to explore ways to control social media following this week’s riots. Just how could such a plan work?”
Daily Telegraph, 12th August 2011
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
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