Riot sentencing ‘out of step with offences’

The Government’s reaction to widespread rioting is resulting in “very bad sentences” being handed out by the courts, which do not reflect the nature of the offence committed, according to prison reform campaigners.

In one particular case, two young men convicted of trying to encourage rioting, albeit through Facebook, were both sent to prison for four years.

Jordan Blackshaw, 20, and Perry Sutcliffe-Keenan, 22, were jailed when they appeared at Chester Crown Court.

The Howard League for Penal Reform has said judges and magistrates should not be giving out such disproportionate sentences.

But the Crown Prosecution Service defended the harsh prison terms, insisting that the pair’s Facebook posts created “significant panic and revulsion” in Cheshire where the men are from.

Howard League director of campaigns Andrew Neilson argued: “The rush to send a message out is leading to some very bad sentences, which will be overturned on appeal.”

He pointed out: “It will be a further drag on the court system which is already struggling, and that’s before considering the pressures on the prison system.

“Sentences should reflect the seriousness of the offence.”

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