Victims allowed to challenge ‘lenient’ prison sentences of paedophiles under new laws

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Victims and members of the public will be able to challenge “unduly lenient” prison sentences given to paedophiles, stalkers and domestic abusers under new laws. “At the moment, around 30 per cent of requests sent in asking for the attorney general to consider referring a case are for crimes that aren’t in the scheme … it needs to be kept up to date and it needs to be promoted.” The cross-government Victims Strategy, published in September 2018, included a commitment to keep the scope of the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme under review and consider extensions. “For victims of these crimes, this has been a long time coming, but I am pleased that the government has finally delivered on its commitment to ensure more victims have a right to appeal and a proper voice in the justice system.” Dame Vera Baird was among those calling for more offences to be included Prison reform campaigners have raised concerns that the changes would worsen overcrowding in jails amid soaring violence and drug abuse. Michael Ellis, the solicitor general, said the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme “can bring comfort to victims and their families across the country”.