Menu
06/08/2012
Nearly 2,000 Years Of Rioting Sentences Handed Out
Exactly a year after riots broke out in London, figures show that prison sentences totalling more than 1,800 years have been handed out to those involved in the disorder.
In the worst public unrest for a generation, riots and looting broke out in Tottenham on August 7 last year after police shot Mark Duggan.
Riots occurred all over England, shocking the public and the press, who had been more used to seeing such scenes come from Northern Ireland or from Greece.
Ministry of Justice figures show that a total of 1,292 offenders have been jailed for their part in the riots.
Magistrates were tough on the rioters and gave out an average custodial sentence of 16.8 months.
This means courts have issued rioters with sentences totalling approximately 1,808 years.
Chief prosecutor Alison Saunders, of the Crown Prosecution Service, told the BBC she backed the tough sentences.
She said: "I do think the criminal justice response was particularly important. People could see there were consequences. They could see the criminal justice system responding and that sent a really strong message from society that this was unacceptable."
The time after the riots was challenging for the state body, she said, with evidence and paperwork on rioters coming in "literally by the sackful".
But incredibly the cases are not all finished yet.
308 defendants still face proceedings over their alleged roles in the riots.
And the CPS is dealing with about 10 riot-related cases per week.
(NE)
In the worst public unrest for a generation, riots and looting broke out in Tottenham on August 7 last year after police shot Mark Duggan.
Riots occurred all over England, shocking the public and the press, who had been more used to seeing such scenes come from Northern Ireland or from Greece.
Ministry of Justice figures show that a total of 1,292 offenders have been jailed for their part in the riots.
Magistrates were tough on the rioters and gave out an average custodial sentence of 16.8 months.
This means courts have issued rioters with sentences totalling approximately 1,808 years.
Chief prosecutor Alison Saunders, of the Crown Prosecution Service, told the BBC she backed the tough sentences.
She said: "I do think the criminal justice response was particularly important. People could see there were consequences. They could see the criminal justice system responding and that sent a really strong message from society that this was unacceptable."
The time after the riots was challenging for the state body, she said, with evidence and paperwork on rioters coming in "literally by the sackful".
But incredibly the cases are not all finished yet.
308 defendants still face proceedings over their alleged roles in the riots.
And the CPS is dealing with about 10 riot-related cases per week.
(NE)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 September 2009
Jail Terms For Airline Bomb Plot
Three men who plotted to blow up planes mid-flight between the UK and America and Canada by using liquid explosives were today jailed for life - with minimum sentences up to 40 years.
Jail Terms For Airline Bomb Plot
Three men who plotted to blow up planes mid-flight between the UK and America and Canada by using liquid explosives were today jailed for life - with minimum sentences up to 40 years.
07 February 2005
Howard calls time on soft sentencing 'charade'
Under radical Conservative proposals unveiled today aimed at restoring faith in Britain's "battered" criminal justice system, convicted criminals would serve their full term in prison. Conservative Leader Michael Howard criticised current sentencing policy as a "charade". He said: "In fact it's worse than that. It's a lie.
Howard calls time on soft sentencing 'charade'
Under radical Conservative proposals unveiled today aimed at restoring faith in Britain's "battered" criminal justice system, convicted criminals would serve their full term in prison. Conservative Leader Michael Howard criticised current sentencing policy as a "charade". He said: "In fact it's worse than that. It's a lie.
27 July 2004
Teenagers and beggars to face drugs testing
Teenagers and beggars who are charged with drug-related crimes are to be tested for class A drugs, the Home Office has announced today. Fourteen to 17-year-olds who are charged for a 'trigger offence', such as burglary, car crime and theft, will be tested for heroin, crack and cocaine.
Teenagers and beggars to face drugs testing
Teenagers and beggars who are charged with drug-related crimes are to be tested for class A drugs, the Home Office has announced today. Fourteen to 17-year-olds who are charged for a 'trigger offence', such as burglary, car crime and theft, will be tested for heroin, crack and cocaine.
10 May 2012
77 Years For Rochdale Child Sex Gang
The nine men found guilty of operating a child sexual exploitation ring have been jailed for a total of 77 years. The trial, which ended on Tuesday, heard how the men groomed young vulnerable girls in Rochdale.
77 Years For Rochdale Child Sex Gang
The nine men found guilty of operating a child sexual exploitation ring have been jailed for a total of 77 years. The trial, which ended on Tuesday, heard how the men groomed young vulnerable girls in Rochdale.
09 May 2008
Schoolboy Killers Sentenced To Life
Two teenagers have been given life sentences for the murder of a schoolboy. Kodja Yenga, 16, was stabbed in the heart in a gang ambush in Hammersmith, west London, in March last year. Tirrel Davis, 17, and 14-year-old Brandon Richmond have been ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years behind bars.
Schoolboy Killers Sentenced To Life
Two teenagers have been given life sentences for the murder of a schoolboy. Kodja Yenga, 16, was stabbed in the heart in a gang ambush in Hammersmith, west London, in March last year. Tirrel Davis, 17, and 14-year-old Brandon Richmond have been ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years behind bars.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
