Tag: Attorney General

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 9 April 2025.

Two rapists have had their sentences increased by the Court of Appeal after their cases were referred by the Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP.

The Solicitor General has secured sentence increases in two separate cases where the offenders committed sexual abuse.

In the first case, Paul Watson, 45, from Chorley, over a four-month period between January and April 2024, coerced and controlled a woman, and carried out multiple rapes.

The court heard that the victim submitted to the offender because she was terrified for her own safety.

In a separate case, Anthony McNamara, 46, from County Durham, groomed and repeatedly raped a young person for several years. The offending began when the victim was 12.

Following his arrest by the police in May 2024, McNamara was told not to contact the victim. However, he breached his bail conditions and continued to groom and engage in sexual activity with the victim.

The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

I am sickened to read about these rapists’ crimes, who both repeatedly preyed on their victims and inflicted terror upon them.

I am glad that the court has rightly decided to increase both of these sentences, and my thoughts today are with the victims who suffered unimaginable abuse.

On 3 April 2025, Watson’s 17-year sentence was quashed, and the court imposed a sentence of life imprisonment, following the Solicitor General’s decision to refer it to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.

On 3 April 2025, Anthony McNamara’s 13-year sentence was substituted for a total sentence of 23 years, comprising of 18 years custodial term and a 5-year extended license.

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 27 March 2025.

A violent robber who was caught wearing a jacket he had stolen has had his suspended sentence quashed and been sent to jail after the Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby KC MP intervened.

The Court of Appeal increased the sentence of 27-year-old Zakaria Mohamed from 21 months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months to four years and nine months’ imprisonment.

This was the result of an intervention by the Solicitor General who referred the case under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The court heard that the victim was on his way home after a night out in Leicester and was grabbed and dragged into a car in the early hours of 24 May last year. The victim was threatened with a kitchen knife and slapped as the group demanded his possessions.

The victim was forced to hand over his belongings which included a smartphone, ear pods, a tablet, trainers, tracksuit and designer bag, and his jacket worth around £1,300.

He was then told to get out of the vehicle before it sped off.

Following the robbery, police caught Mohamed outside a nightclub handling and inspecting the stolen items. He was also wearing the victim’s jacket.

In a victim impact statement after the incident, the victim said the robbery had led to him moving to another city and he continues to feel vulnerable every time he goes out.

The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

This violent robbery was horrific and the substantial sentence increase following my intervention should serve as a stark warning that crime and lawlessness will not be tolerated.

Mohamed pleaded guilty to robbery, driving without a licence and driving without insurance on 3 October 2024 at Leicester Crown Court. He was sentenced at the same court to 21 months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months on 19 December 2024.

The sentence was increased to a total of four years and nine months’ imprisonment at the Court of Appeal on 25 February 2025.

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 27 February 2025.

A man who gave medication to a woman and caused her to miscarry has had his sentence increased.

Stuart Worby, 40, from Malthouse Court, Dereham, has had his sentence increased to 17 years after it was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The court heard that in 2022, after failing to convince the victim to terminate her pregnancy, Worby administered two drugs designed to induce miscarriages to the victim without her consent.

Worby obtained the drugs through an associate who rang a clinic, posing as a pregnant woman looking to terminate her pregnancy.

The first dose was dissolved into the victim’s drink. The second dose was physically inserted into the victim.

The victim suffered immediately from the drugs and Worby refused to seek medical help, even asking his associate for more drugs as he thought they hadn’t worked.

The next day the victim suffered a miscarriage and is now unable to have children.

The woman initially thought she had miscarried naturally but contacted the police after discovering messages on Worby’s phone to his friend saying, ‘its working’ and ‘there is a lot of blood’.

Worby accepted he had obtained the medication unlawfully but denied he ever gave it to the woman. He was found guilty of one count of administering a poison with intent to procure a miscarriage and one count of assault by penetration and on 6 December 2024, Stuart Worby was sentenced for 12 years at Norwich Crown Court.

The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

I was disgusted by this offender’s appalling crimes and I welcome the court’s decision to increase his sentence following my referral under the Unduly Lenient Sentences scheme.

This is a stark warning to those who commit violent acts against women – you will face very serious consequences.

On 27 February 2025, Worby’s sentence was increased from 12 years to 17 years after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 18 February 2025.

A man who arranged a female genital mutilation (FGM) procedure for a young girl has had his jail sentence increased.

Emad Kaky, 48, has had his sentence increased after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The court heard that in June 2019 Kaky arranged for a young girl to travel to Iraq for an FGM procedure and to be forced into marriage.

Kaky’s plans were uncovered by a witness who arranged for the victim to travel back to the UK from Iraq and reported Kaky to the police.

Kaky was convicted of conspiracy to commit FGM and forced marriage.

The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

FGM is a sickening crime and this government is determined to stamp out the practice as part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls.

This offender intended to inflict grotesque physical and mental suffering upon a child. The court has rightly decided to increase his sentence to reflect the severity of his crime.

This was a landmark case, and I would like to commend the work of the CPS to successfully prosecute for the first time a charge of conspiracy to commit FGM.

Janine McKinney, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, said:

Female genital mutilation is a horrific crime to subject anyone to – let alone a child.

This landmark case sends a strong message to perpetrators – just because an offence has been committed somewhere else in the world does not stop you facing prosecution.

During the trial we presented evidence that the defendant considered his behaviour to be normal. Today, Emad Kaky has faced the consequences of his actions in trying to get a child subjected to female genital mutilation and be forced into a marriage not of her choosing.

The law is clear that there is no place for this unacceptable practice in society and the Crown Prosecution Service, police and other law enforcement agencies will work together to bring perpetrators to justice.

On 3 October 2024, Emad Kaky was sentenced to four and a half years’ imprisonment at Nottingham Crown Court for one count of conspiracy to commit FGM outside England and Wales and one count of forced marriage

On 24 January 2025, Kaky’s sentence was substituted for 7 years’ imprisonment after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 14 February 2025.

The Attorney General Lord Hermer KC has released a statement following a request to review Axel Rudakubana’s sentence under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The Attorney General Lord Hermer KC said:

The senseless and barbaric murder of three young girls in Southport last summer shocked our nation.

No words come anywhere close to expressing the brutality and horror in this case.

It was understandable that we received multiple requests to review the sentence under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme – which is designed to identify and remedy gross errors made by judges.

After careful consideration of independent legal advice and consultation with leading criminal barristers and the Crown Prosecution Service, I have concluded that this case cannot properly be referred to the Court of Appeal.

No one would want the families to be put through an unnecessary further court process where there is no realistic legal basis for an increased sentence.

The 52-year sentence imposed by the judge was the second longest sentence imposed by the courts in English history.

Rudakubana will likely never be released and will spend the rest of his life in jail.

The Government have set out the next steps that must now take place to ensure that these awful murders will be a line in the sand.

My thoughts today are with the friends and families of Bebe, Elsie, and Alice, as well as the other victims – your memories will not be forgotten.

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 12 September 2024.

The Attorney General Lord Hermer KC visited Kyiv, Bucha and Irpin to drive forward accountability for Ukraine.

Speaking alongside President Zelenskyy, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin and ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, the Attorney General opened the United for Justice Conference.

The Attorney General said:

The UK supports Ukraine’s fight for freedom and its fight for justice. Russia must be accountable both for specific atrocities and its act of aggression. From the battlefield to the courtroom, the UK stands with Ukraine.

The conference was held in an underground car park in central Kyiv for safety, a daily reminder of the toll of war.

At Bucha’s cathedral, the Attorney General heard of the brutal murders and executions of ordinary people as they cycled to work, walked to the shop or sought to flee Russia’s occupation in March 2022.

Bucha was a place of terror two and a half years ago. Though homes have been rapidly reconstructed, wounds remain. Father Andriy, the Archpriest of the Cathedral, told from his experience of the importance of international rule of law and accountability, to provide justice for the people of Bucha and prevent further atrocities.

The Attorney General also stopped at the Romanivika Bridge, Irpin, blown up in 2022 to stop the Russian advance to Kyiv, but now a commuter route from the city to its suburbs.

There he heard about the part-UK funded Mobile Justice Units which support victims, including of conflict related sexual violence, across Ukraine.

The Attorney General also held detailed discussions with Prosecutor General Kostin on the work of his Office to prosecute the 135,000 incidents of alleged war crimes in real-time, as well as training and other support the UK is providing to help prosecutors.

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 9 September 2024.

Raami Mohamed (22) from Cheetham Hill, Manchester, has had his sentence increased after it was referred to the Court of Appeal.

The court heard that in October 2023 two friends, Badri Issa and Omar Jeylaani, were travelling towards the city centre when they were approached by another car – driven by Raami Mohamed – gesturing them to stop.

Omar Jeylaani got out of the car but was confronted by Raami Mohamed. Badri Issa attempted to de-escalate the situation but was stabbed by Raami Mohamed.

While Badri Issa collapsed, Raami Mohamed’s fellow passenger, Kevell Blake, violently assaulted Omar Jeylaani before fleeing the scene with Mohamed. Badri Issa died in hospital later that evening.

Police investigations uncovered that after the attack Raami Mohamed and Kevell Blake disposed of the knife, their phones and clothes. Raami Mohamed also attempted to alter his appearance, change his car insurance, avoid his home and seek legal advice.

Telecommunications data revealed extensive contact between the pair before the attack, and that their phones were in the same location in the lead-up to the attack and again in another location after the attack.

Solicitor General Sarah Sackman KC MP said:

Raami Mohamed’s senseless and heartless murder of Badri Issa in broad daylight was appalling, especially against someone who was trying to act as the peacemaker. I would like to express my deepest condolences to Badri Issa’s friends and family.

The courts have rightly increased Mohamed’s sentence demonstrating the lengths we will take to make sure criminals like Raami Mohamed are off our streets.

On 7 June 2024 at the Manchester Crown Court, Mohamed was sentenced to life with a minimum of 18 years after being found guilty of murder.

On September 6 2024, Mohamed’s previous sentence was quashed and a new sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years and 145 days was imposed after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 23 August 2024.

A violent thug who permanently blinded his victim in one eye after he threw a corrosive substance in his face has had his sentence increased.

Robbie Scott (21), of Newcastle, has had his sentence increased after it was referred to the Court of Appeal.

The court heard that Scott stole a gold chain from a younger man in February 2024 after threatening him with a zombie knife.

The victim’s father challenged Scott to return the chain before Scott squirted him in the face with a corrosive substance from a drinks bottle. Scott also threatened to stab the victim before fleeing the scene.

The victim has undergone further operations to rescue his vision but has completely lost sight in one of his eyes.

Solicitor General Sarah Sackman MP said:

Robbie Scott’s actions were cowardly and shameful. Not only did he violently rob someone younger than him with a zombie knife but when challenged he callously threw a corrosive substance in another person’s face.

His victim has suffered life-altering injuries and thankfully the courts recognised the severity of Robbie Scott’s crimes when they extended his sentence. Those who violently attack and intimidate others should be warned that you will be dealt with the full force of the law.

On 20 May 2024, Scott received eight years and six months’ imprisonment with a licence extension of one year and six months at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Crown Court for robbery, having a bladed article and a corrosive substance in a public place, grievous bodily harm with intent, and resisting a constable in the execution of his duty.

On 23 August 2024, Robbie Scott’s sentence was increased to eleven years imprisonment with an extended license period of three years after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 25 July 2024.

A dangerous driver under the influence of drink and drugs who killed a 13-year-old boy and fled the scene has had his sentence increased.

Harley Whiteman, 20, from Hirwaun, South Wales, has had his six years and nine months’ sentence quashed and a nine years’ detention imposed after it was referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The court heard that on 29 February 2024, Whiteman was driving erratically and at speed through Hirwaun with two friends after he had been drinking and taking drugs.

On the Brecon Road, Whiteman swerved to avoid hitting another car, which caused him to mount the kerb and hit 13-year-old Kaylan Hippsley.

Kaylan was thrown into the air and was treated at the scene but died three days later in hospital.

Whiteman fled the scene but returned shortly after, shouting at those who were trying to help Kaylan.

When police officers later arrested Whiteman, he refused to take a breathalyser test and was verbally abusive towards them.

The Solicitor General Sarah Sackman MP said:

Harley Whiteman’s reckless actions have broken a family and stolen the life of a thirteen-year-old boy. That Whiteman fled the scene before abusing people tending to Kaylan, as well as police officers, is utterly deplorable.

The court’s rightly increased Whiteman’s sentence and this should send a clear warning to those who recklessly drive at high speeds and endanger the lives of others that they will be punished with the full force of the law.

On 30 April 2024, Whiteman was sentenced to six years’ and nine months’ detention in a Young Offenders Institution for one count of causing death by dangerous driving

On 24 July, Whiteman’s sentence was substituted to a nine years’ detention after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 12 April 2024.

A masked thug who took part in a violent burglary has had his sentence doubled after it was referred to the Court of Appeal.

Creddy Taylor, 21, from Leeds, has had his four-year sentence increased to eight years after it was referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The court heard that a group of masked men, one wielding a machete, smashed their way into a house in Bradford during the daytime on 25 July 2023.

The victim, who was pregnant at the time, fled the scene before Taylor and the other burglars made off with expensive items, including watches, designer items, and cash.

The Solicitor General, Robert Courts KC MP, said:

I was appalled to learn of this horrific robbery and extend my sympathies to the victim who went through a traumatic ordeal.

The court’s intervention is a welcome one and this case should send a stark warning that those who commit violent burglaries  will face the full extent of the law for their crimes.

Creddy Taylor was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment at Bradford Crown Court on 12 January 2024 after he was charged with aggravated burglary.

On 12 April 2024, Taylor’s sentence was increased to eight years after it was referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.