Judges slammed for failing to protect kids after ignoring calls for mandatory jail sentences for knife thugs
The Ministry of Justice revealed that just 59 per cent of nearly 2,707 over 18s arrested for repeat knife possession had been sent to prison in the past 12 months
JUDGES were slammed today for failing to protect the nation’s kids after ignoring Government calls for mandatory jail sentences for knife thugs.
The Ministry of Justice revealed that just 59 per cent of nearly 2,707 over 18s arrested for repeat knife possession had been sent to prison in the past 12 months. Only 45 per cent of 16 and 17 year-olds were banged up.
Ministers last year insisted a new ‘two strikes’ law requiring a mandatory four-to-six months sentence meant offenders would be “properly punished”.
The figures follow a wave of harrowing knife attacks across London the UK – and a dramatic 40 per cent rise in the number of kids caught with a blade since 2013.
Two men aged in their 30s were hospitalised in Peckham south London on Wednesday after a knife fight near a library.
Earlier this week, three teenagers were convicted of manslaughter following the fatal stabbing of a student in the capital in April.
Tory backbencher and knife campaigner David Burrowes told the Sun: “Sadly the exception is too often the norm that repeat offenders get off jail.
“Judges need to know through new guidance or new law that victims want and deserve a zero tolerance to knives.”
Fellow campaigner Nick De Bois, an ex-Tory MP, said: “Kids are dying on our streets and we are letting them and their families down by not sending persistent knife carrying offenders who repeatedly break the law to jail.
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“We gave the courts the law the power to do this and I can’t understand why they refuse to do so.”
He said that while the law allowed judges to spare offenders from jail in ‘exceptional’ circumstances, allowing 41 per cent to escape a custodial sentence was an “abuse” of the clause.
The Sun backed calls for the law to be introduced a year ago.
Former PM David Cameron was shamed into action after it emerged his Government had delayed ‘enacting’ the legislation amid fears too many people would be sent into Britain’s overcrowded jail system.
The Ministry of Justice said sentencing decisions were ultimately a decision for judges – and that there had been a 10 percentage point rise in custodial sentences since the new law came in.
Justice Minister Sam Gyimah said: “Knives ruin lives and blight communities.
“Our tough stance is working.
He added: “We could not be any clearer – if you carry a knife, you should expect to go jail.”
Yesterday’s statistics revealed that overall, the criminal justice system dealt with a staggering 4,937 knife possession offences between July and September – 53 a day.
The number of children caught carrying a blade has soared from just 2,635 to 3,794 since 2013 – a 43 per cent jump.
The Howard League for Penal Reform insisted yesterday the numbers were still some way below the 6,733 cases recorded in 2008.