16/10/2007
No More Half-Measures On Sentencing
Following considerable lobbying activity across Northern Ireland, it has been announced that the existing automatic 50% remission on jail sentences for seriously violent and dangerous offenders in Northern Ireland will end.
The Northern Ireland Office’s Security Minister Paul Goggins is to publish draft legislation shortly, which will also include new electronic tagging for less serious criminals.
He said the laws would be a major step forward in protecting the public and would be one people would welcome.
"They have long anticipated its introduction," he said.
"I can tell them I'll be putting this into legislation in the New Year and I hope to have it actually available to the court in May.”
(BMcC)
The Northern Ireland Office’s Security Minister Paul Goggins is to publish draft legislation shortly, which will also include new electronic tagging for less serious criminals.
He said the laws would be a major step forward in protecting the public and would be one people would welcome.
"They have long anticipated its introduction," he said.
"I can tell them I'll be putting this into legislation in the New Year and I hope to have it actually available to the court in May.”
(BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.