Minister introduces new measures to combat 'hate crime'

Criminal Justice Minister John Spellar has announced plans to introduce tough new measures to tackle so-called 'hate crime'.

The legislative proposals that have been laid in Parliament today include a statutory requirement for judges to treat racial and religious aggravation and hatred of sexual orientation as an aggravating factor when sentencing.

Announcing the proposals, Mr Spellar said: "The government abhors all forms of intolerance whether based on racism, sectarianism or sexual orientation.

"These proposals introduce much needed changes to legislation in Northern Ireland to enhance the law to tackle crime motivated by hatred. It will give judges crucial powers to hand down sentences which fit the seriousness of the crime."

The Minister said the proposals also reinforced the message that any crime motivated by racism, sectarianism and hatred of sexual orientation was totally unacceptable.

"I am also putting forward plans to increase maximum sentences for certain offences, giving judges greater powers in sentencing where aggravation is proven," he said.

"Proposals within this Criminal Justice (NI) Order 2004 would see the maximum penalty for criminal damage increase from 10 to 14 years and for putting someone in fear of violence from five to seven years. In addition, causing grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning actual bodily harm would increase from five to seven years."

Consultation on this draft legislation gets underway today and lasts until 9 April.

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