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1081935
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-03-04more like thisremove minimum value filter
answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
answering dept id 54 more like this
answering dept short name Justice more like this
answering dept sort name Justice more like this
hansard heading Knives: Crime more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of increasing the minimum sentence for knife-related crime. more like this
tabling member constituency Romford more like this
tabling member printed
Andrew Rosindell more like this
uin 227988 remove filter
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-03-12more like thismore than 2019-03-12
answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice is working closely with other departments, to tackle the serious issue of knife crime, which we recognise is an absolute priority.</p><p> </p><p>The Courts already have a comprehensive range of sentencing options. Unlawful possession of a knife or offensive weapon in public is a serious criminal offence which a maximum penalty of four years’ imprisonment. Since 2015, adults now face a minimum sentence of 6 months’ imprisonment and young people aged 16 or 17 face a minimum sentence 4 month Detention and Training Order for second or subsequent knife possession or threatening with a weapon in public offences. Courts can only depart from minimum sentencing if it would be unjust to impose these terms.</p><p> </p><p>Where someone is actually harmed by a knife or offensive weapon there are a range of other offences, such as causing grievous bodily harm, that the person will be charged with. These can result in lengthy sentences up to life imprisonment. For any offence, the possession, threatening with or use of a weapon will be treated as an aggravating factor meriting an increased sentence.</p><p> </p><p>Since minimum custodial penalties were introduced, people caught carrying a knife or offensive weapon for a second time are now more likely than ever before to go to prison – 83% of offenders received a custodial sentence for repeat possession offences. The average immediate custody sentence length in the year ending September 2018 was 7.9 months.</p>
answering member constituency Penrith and The Border more like this
answering member printed Rory Stewart more like this
grouped question UIN 227990 more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-03-12T17:27:27.95Zmore like thismore than 2019-03-12T17:27:27.95Z
answering member
4137
label Biography information for Rory Stewart more like this
tabling member
1447
label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell more like this