Martin has used an opportunity in Parliament to ask the Attorney General, Jeremy Wright MP, for an update on the effectiveness of the unduly lenient sentence scheme.
The Attorney General responded explaining that of the 100 offenders, in the year to the 30th October 2014, who were referred to the court of appeal, 69% had their sentences increased.
Following this, Martin informed the Attorney General that although the opportunity afforded by the scheme to give longer sentences to those given unduly lenient sentences afforded by the Scheme was welcome, constituents were concerned that many sentences being passed are far too lenient.
The full exchange can be found below:
Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con)
"What discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues on the effectiveness of the unduly lenient sentence scheme."
The Attorney-General (Jeremy Wright):
"I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on a range of matters, including the effectiveness of the unduly lenient sentence scheme. In the year to 30 October, the Law Officers considered 362 cases under the scheme and referred 100 offenders to the Court of Appeal. Some 69% of those offenders then had their sentences increased by the court for some of the most serious violent and sexual offences, including murder, rape and sexual assault."
Martin Vickers:
"I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that reply, and welcome the fact that many sentences have been increased. My constituents, however, find many sentences passed by the courts to be far too lenient. It is clearly important to maintain public confidence in the sentencing process, so what other steps does my right hon. and learned Friend intend taking to ensure that that is the case?"
The Attorney-General:
"Of course, this is a remedy for those exceptional cases where the judiciary pass what are considered by the Court of Appeal to be unduly lenient sentences, and I think it is right that we have that mechanism available to us. I believe that the judiciary generally get it right, but that when they do get it wrong, it is important to have a mechanism to correct things."