Criminals are being handed up to 10 suspended sentences before they are finally jailed, new figures reveal
Numbers have sparked concerns career criminals are being left to walk the streets of Britain
CRIMINALS are being handed up to 10 suspended sentences at a time before they are finally put in prison, new figures have revealed.
The numbers have sparked concerns that career criminals are being left to walk the streets of Britain.
"If the offender breaches a suspended sentence order, there is a statutory presumption that the custodial sentence will be given effect, unless it would be unjust to do so in view of all of the circumstances.
"Repeat offenders can expect to go straight to prison if they commit a serious offence. Offenders serving suspended custodial sentences, however, have a lower re-offending rate than offenders serving immediate, short custodial sentences.
"The highest number of suspended sentences received by one person who has not also received an immediate custodial sentence, as recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC) up to 31 December 2015, and the latest sentencing occasion being (a) in a magistrates' court was 10 and (b) in the Crown Court was six.
"The highest number of suspended sentences received by one person, as recorded on the PNC up to December 2015, before receiving an immediate custodial sentence in; (a) a magistrates' court was nine and (b) the Crown Court was eight."