Tag: Attorney General

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 13 October 2022.

A man who sexually abused a child has had his jail term increased after the case was referred to the Court of Appeal for being unduly lenient.

Haydn Carter, now 47, abused the teenager on at least 6 occasions between 2000 and 2002.

On 5 July 2022, at Guildford Crown Court, he was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months’ imprisonment for two offences of indecent assault.

Following the sentencing, his case was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

On 13 October 2022, the Court found his original sentence to be unduly lenient and increased it to 7 years’ imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing, the HM Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:

“Over a two-year period, Carter repeatedly abused a vulnerable young person causing immeasurable damage to her.

“I welcome this increased sentence which better reflects the harm caused. It sends a clear message that sexual offences will not be tolerated and will be addressed with robust punishment.”

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 12 October 2022.

A man who raped and abused a woman has received an increased prison sentence after his case was referred to the Court of Appeal.

The offender, who cannot be named for legal reasons, raped the victim twice and subjected her to controlling and coercive behaviour. He also subjected the victim’s daughter to physical and verbal abuse.

On 15 July 2022, the offender was sentenced to 8 years’ and 3 months imprisonment for two counts of rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, child cruelty and common assault. The offender also received a restraining order.

Following the sentencing, the case was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

On 12 October 2022, the Court found the original sentence to be unduly lenient and increased it to 11 years 9 months’ imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing, HM Attorney General Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC MP said:

The offender subjected the victim to despicable assaults and controlling, coercive behaviour, which will have a lasting impact on the victim and her daughter.

Increasing the sentence sends a clear message that any type of abuse is not acceptable and will be met with tough punishment.

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 11 October 2022.

A well-known rapper who ran a county drugs line operation has received an increased prison sentence after his case was referred to the Court of Appeal.

Between October 2021 and January 2022, drill artist, Alieu Koroma, 22, was in control of a county drugs line operation. Koroma, whose music has been played on BBC Radio 1, sent bulk marketing messages to drug users and directed a vulnerable 14-year-old to deliver drugs and collect cash. The drug line Koroma was in charge of was used over 7,500 times and had nearly 800 customers.

On 1 July 2022, Koroma was sentenced to 3 years 10 months’ imprisonment for offences including being knowingly concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possession of a bladed article. The sentencing took place at Wood Green Crown Court.

Koroma’s sentence was then referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme for being too low.

On 11 October 2022, the Court found his original sentence to be unduly lenient and imposed a new sentence of five years and three months’ imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing, HM Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:

The class A drugs sold by Alieu Koroma are dangerous and ruin lives. Supplying them at this scale is a serious offence, so I am glad that the Court has handed down a longer sentence that is a better reflection of the crimes that have taken place.

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 6 October 2022.

Two men who fatally stabbed a Croydon man have had their sentences increased after the Court of Appeal found their original sentences to be unduly lenient.

On 15 December 2019, Donald Owusu, now 25, and Harvey Macfoy, now 26, used a tracker device to locate 33-year-old Albert Amofa as they believed he was carrying cannabis in his vehicle.  The victim was located outside his home in his vehicle and stabbed five times to the upper leg hitting his femoral artery. Owusu and Macfoy fled the scene empty handed. Mr Amofa died from his injuries two days later.

On 7 July 2022 at Central Criminal Court, Donald Owusu was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder with a minimum term of 25 years. Harvey Macfoy was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder with a minimum term of 21 years.  Macfoy received an additional 20-month sentence to run concurrently for intending to pervert the course of justice.

The original sentences were referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme because they appeared too low.

On 6 October, the Court of Appeal found Owusu and Macfoy’s sentences to be unduly lenient and increased Owusu’s minimum sentence to 27 years’ imprisonment and Macfoy’s to 23 years’ imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing, HM Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:

The senseless and vicious murder of Albert Amofa has caused immeasurable pain and suffering to his family, and my thoughts are with them today.

I welcome the Court’s decision to increase both sentences today as I believe they better reflect the intent behind this awful attack.

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 6 October 2022.

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 6 October 2022.

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 29 September 2022.

The Attorney General confirms the requirement not to publish material which could prejudice ongoing criminal investigations and potential prosecutions.

Following the fatal police shooting of Chris Kaba on 05 September 2022 a homicide investigation has commenced in respect of the officer who fired the fatal shot.

HM Attorney General, the Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC MP, wishes to amplify the importance of not publishing any material where there is a risk that it could prejudice any ongoing criminal investigation or potential prosecution. Publishing this material could amount to contempt of court.

Editors, publishers and social media users should take legal advice to ensure they are in a position to fully comply with the obligations to which they are subject under both the common law and statutory regimes in relation to publications.

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 29 September 2022.

The Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC MP was sworn in as His Majesty’s Attorney General for England and Wales in a joint ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice today.

His Majesty’s Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP was also sworn in at the ceremony. Speaking after the ceremony, His Majesty’s Attorney General, the Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC MP said:

I am honoured to be sworn in after returning as His Majesty’s Attorney General for England and Wales. As the Government’s chief legal adviser, my focus will be upholding the rule of law and strengthening our justice system.

I also warmly welcome Michael Tomlinson MP to his role as His Majesty’s Solicitor General. Michael brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to the role.

Commenting on his new appointment, HM Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:

It is a privilege to be sworn in as His Majesty’s Solicitor General for England and Wales.

There are important responsibilities that come with this unique role which has been part of our constitution for centuries, and I look forward to working with His Majesty’s Attorney General to play my part in upholding the rule of law and carrying out the public interest functions of the Attorney General’s Office.

HM Attorney General is the Government’s chief legal advisor and also attends Cabinet. As well as providing advice to government, HM Law Officers (the Attorney General and Solicitor General) oversee the Law Officers’ Departments which include the Crown Prosecution Service, Serious Fraud Office, Government Legal Department and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.

HM Law Officers carry out a number of functions in the public interest, such as considering unduly lenient sentences and taking action when there has been a contempt of court. These functions are carried out independently of their role as government ministers.

The Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC MP was first appointed Attorney General on 2 March 2021 and held office until 10 September 2021. He was reappointed on 6 September 2022.

Michael Tomlinson MP was appointed as Solicitor General for England and Wales on 7 September 2022.

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 29 September 2022.

A man who violently raped a teenage victim has been ordered to serve a longer prison sentence after his case was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

Matthew Grant, 35, repeatedly raped the 16-year-old victim over the course of a night and into the following morning. The violence used against the victim during the rapes included punches, throwing her against a wall and strangulation. Over the course of the rapes and assault the victim suffered a perforated ear drum and sustained heavy bruising all over her body.

On 5 July 2022, Grant was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment at Wolverhampton Crown Court for offences including 6 counts of rape and a count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Following the sentencing, Grant’s sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

On 29 September 2022, the Court found Grant’s original sentence to be unduly lenient, and he was ordered to serve a new sentence of 13 years’ imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing, HM Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:

This was a harrowing case of rape which has left the victim with lasting psychological damage.

While no sentence can repair the harm caused by Matthew Grant’s crimes, I welcome the decision of the Court of Appeal to impose a stronger sentence which better reflects the severity of the dreadful offending which has taken place.

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 23 September 2022.

A Cornwall man who abused his partner has received an increased prison sentence after his case was referred to the Court of Appeal by the then Solicitor General Edward Timpson CBE KC MP.

Ben Solomon, now 35, was in a relationship with the victim for approximately nine months. Following a breakdown in their relationship, Solomon threatened to disclose videos of them having sex to the victim’s family, friends and work colleagues, the offender was arrested and released on bail.

While on bail, Solomon and the victim rekindled their relationship. He visited her home one night, where he acted violently towards her, including slapping her, pulling her hair and strangling her twice.

On 8 July 2022, Solomon was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for blackmail and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The sentencing took place at Plymouth Crown Court.

Following the sentencing, Solomon’s case was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme because the then Solicitor General felt that Solomon’s offending was serious enough to warrant a longer prison term.

On 23 September 2022, the Court found Solomon’s original sentence to be unduly lenient and increased it to 3 years’ imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing, the newly appointed HM Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:

Ben Solomon’s shameful and abusive behaviour warranted a stronger punishment. I am glad that the Court agreed and hope that the decision to sentence Solomon to a longer prison term will send the message that physical and mental abuse will never be tolerated.