Posted on 08/02/2017 12:24:01 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Judges in 11 cases in Wales gave unduly lenient sentences to thugs convicted of offences including MURDER.
Sean Buckley, 29, was found guilty of murdering his partner’s 17-month old son, Finley Thomas, at Cardiff Crown Court in June last year.
Finley’s mother Chloe Thomas, 25, was convicted of child cruelty because she failed to intervene while her son was suffering at Buckley’s hands.
Buckley left Finley with a fractured skull and broken ribs. He claimed the youngster had fallen down the stairs.
Finley also had historical injuries consistent with being assaulted, neglected and having been exposed to illegal and prescription drugs.
The Court of Appeal quashed Buckley’s original sentence and raised his term from life with a minimum term of 17 years to life with a minimum term of 20 years.
Thomas had her sentence increased by 10 months – from 20 to 30.
Appearing at London’s Criminal Appeal Court over a video link from prison, she wept as the judge said her failure to seek help for her son deserved a tougher sentence.
The Attorney General Jeremy Wright QC MP said: “The Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme allows victims of crime, their families and the public to challenge sentences that they believe are too low, and last year we saw a record number of sentences increased.”
A total of 14 cases originally heard at Crown Courts in Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil and Mold last year were sent to the Court of Appeal because the sentences were considered too low.
READ MORE Have-a-go hero tried to tackle knife-wielding gang who stole £17,000 from post office Of the 11 increased were two community sentences replaced with prison terms. One related to a sex offence.
In total, criminals in Wales will serve an extra 34 years behind bars.
Two sentences were unchanged by the Court of Appeal.
Finley's mother, Chloe Thomas, had her sentence increased from 20 to 30 months after admitting child cruelty “A sentencing exercise is not an exact science and in the vast majority of cases, judges get it right,” the Attorney General said.
“The scheme is available to ensure that the Solicitor General and I can independently review those cases where there may have been an error in the sentencing decision.”
Under the ULS scheme, victims of crime and the public can ask for sentences to be reviewed.
READ MORE A woman blamed her dog for stealing biscuits - but she'd actually been targeted by a burglar The Attorney or Solicitor General then asks the Court of Appeal to review the sentence to have it increased if they believe the Court made a mistake.
Offences covered include the most serious cases considered by Crown Courts. They include murder, manslaughter, rape and other serious sex offences.
A total of 14 cases heard at Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil and Mold crown courts last year were sent to the appeals court because the sentences were deemed too low From August 8, the scheme will cover a further 19 terror-related offences.
These include supporting extremist organisations, encouraging acts of terror or failing to disclose information about a terrorist attack.
The Attorney General’s Office said this was the first step to expanding the scheme even further.
Sentences can be extended?
That sets a terrible precedent.
Yes, but this is in the UK, not the US.
Activist judges should be disbarred and jailed.
England has parliamentary govt. They can do whatever they want. The subjects have no protected rights.
Liberalism. It tries to ‘normalize’ every other form of human depravity, why not murder?
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