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Tag: Attorney General

  • PRESS RELEASE : Dangerous driver, Luis Fernando Balcazar Soto, will spend longer in prison [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Dangerous driver, Luis Fernando Balcazar Soto, will spend longer in prison [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General’s office on 25 January 2023.

    A dangerous driver who caused the death of 31-year-old Sophie Strickland will serve a longer prison sentence after the Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson KC MP presented the case at the Court of Appeal.

    In the early hours of 10 July 2022, Luis Fernando Balcazar Soto, 25, lost control of the vehicle he was driving and collided with a rickshaw which was parked at the side of the road.

    The passenger in the rickshaw, Sophie Strickland, suffered catastrophic injuries as a result, and despite the best efforts of the emergency services she was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

    The driver of the rickshaw, Tanvir Ahmed, survived but was left with life-changing injuries.

    At the time of the crash, Balcazar Soto, from South East London, was driving with a passenger he was prohibited from contacting under the terms of a Restraining Order.

    He was driving up to nearly twice the speed limit prior to the crash and was found to have alcohol in his system when arrested.

    On 1 November 2022, Balcazar Soto was sentenced to 9 years and 9 months’ imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court for causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, breach of a Restraining Order and breach of a suspended sentence.

    His sentence was then referred to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General as Unduly Lenient.

    On 25 January 2023 Balcazar Soto’s original sentence was quashed and substituted by a total sentence of 12 years and 9 months’ imprisonment.

    The Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson KC MP said:

    Today all my thoughts are with the family and friends of Sophie Strickland, whose life was so tragically cut short by the criminally dangerous driving of Luis Fernando Balcazar Soto. I want to pay tribute to Sophie’s family, who have shown immense strength and courage during such a desperately difficult time.

    I referred this case to the Court of Appeal and chose to personally present it because I believed the original sentence was Unduly Lenient. I’m pleased that the court has ordered Luis Fernando Balcazar Soto serve a prison term which is a more appropriate reflection of the dreadful harm that he has caused.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Harry McCusker, who supplied dozens of kilograms of cocaine across South England has received an increased prison sentence [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Harry McCusker, who supplied dozens of kilograms of cocaine across South England has received an increased prison sentence [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 19 January 2023.

    A cocaine dealer who conspired with others to supply large quantities of the class A drug across the south of England will spend extra time in prison after his original sentence was found to be unduly lenient.

    Harry McCusker, 28, of Middlesex, worked as part of a large-scale operation to supply cocaine across the south of England. During the operation, McCusker and other conspirators would receive up to 20kg of cocaine at a time before distributing the class A drug across areas including London, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.

    As part of the sophisticated operation, substantial quantities of money were laundered, leading to McCusker also being convicted of conspiracy to convert criminal property.

    On 28 October 2022, at Lewes Crown Court, McCusker was sentenced to 4 years and 9 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to supply a class A drug and conspiracy to convert criminal property.

    His sentence was then referred to the Court of Appeal as Unduly Lenient.

    On 19 January 2023 the Court quashed McCusker’s original sentence, and he will now have to serve a sentence of 6 years and 4 months’ imprisonment.

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

    “Harry McCusker was directly involved in a wide-scale operation to supply enormous quantities of a dangerous, harmful and illegal class A drug. I hope that the increased sentence handed down by the Court today will send the message that no amount of money offered for dealing drugs will ever be worth the punishment.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Violent rapist, Samuel Moulder, to spend longer in prison after referral to the Court of Appeal [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Violent rapist, Samuel Moulder, to spend longer in prison after referral to the Court of Appeal [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 18 January 2023.

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

    Samuel Moulder, now 34, denied attacking the woman twice in 2017. The first offence took place in a hotel and the second, which was aggressive and violent, took place in the victim’s own home.

    On 8 September 2022 at Gloucester Crown Court, Moulder was sentenced to eight years in prison, he was given a restraining order against his victim and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

    Following the sentencing, it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme for being too low.

    On 18 January 2023, the Court found his original sentence to be unduly lenient and increased it to 12 years’ imprisonment.

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

    “Rape is always a horrific crime, but this case has had particularly awful repercussions on his victim.

    I welcome this increased sentence which better reflects the long-term harm caused. It sends a clear message that violent, sexual offences will be addressed with vigorous punishment.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Paedophile Kevin Porter going to prison after Court of Appeal rules previous sentence was unduly lenient [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Paedophile Kevin Porter going to prison after Court of Appeal rules previous sentence was unduly lenient [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 18 January 2023.

    A man found with more than 4,000 indecent images of children on his devices will now spend time in prison after his previous sentence was found to be unduly lenient.

    Kevin Porter, 62, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and three counts of taking indecent images of children, at Guildford Crown Court.

    He was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, ordered to do 40 days of Rehabilitation, given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years and a Deprivation Order.

    Following the sentencing on 11 November 2022, it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme for being too low.

    Porter’s original sentence was found to be unduly lenient by the Court on 17 January 2023 and was increased to an immediate imprisonment of 3 years and 4 months.

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

    “This is an appalling case. This abhorrent behaviour cannot be accepted, and this increased sentence better reflects this shocking crime.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Historic child abuser, Michael Egan, to face time in prison after referral to the Court of Appeal [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Historic child abuser, Michael Egan, to face time in prison after referral to the Court of Appeal [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 21 December 2022.

    A man found guilty of child cruelty and assault is facing jail after the case was referred to the Court of Appeal for being unduly lenient.

    Michael Egan, now 77, abused the child over 30 years ago when he was aged between 42 and 47. Among the offences, Egan would tell the victim her mother didn’t love her, force her to take cold showers and throw cold water over her when she was in bed. He also kicked her repeatedly in the ribs and burnt her with a lit cigarette. Egan had previously been convicted of wounding the child by throwing a cup at her face.

    On 17 October 2022, he was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months and ordered to pay £1,000 costs.

    Following the sentencing at Norwich Crown Court, it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme for being too low.

    On 21 December 2022, the Court found his original sentence to be unduly lenient and increased it to four years’ imprisonment.

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

    Egan’s cruel and unspeakable physical and mental abuse have left a significant and lasting impact on his victim’s life.

    Child cruelty is never acceptable so I welcome this increased sentence showing that those that commit such cowardly crimes will face significant punishment as a result.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Increased sentence for double murderer Amrit Jhagra [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Increased sentence for double murderer Amrit Jhagra [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 20 December 2022.

    A man who stabbed a teenager and adult to death in Doncaster will spend longer in prison after his sentence was found to be unduly lenient.

    Amrit Jhagra, 19, fatally stabbed 17-year-old Janis Kozlovskis and 20-year-old Ryan Theobald in the early hours of 29 January 2022 when he became involved in an altercation between Mr Kozlovskis and his friend.

    Jhagra, who was the only person at the scene to be armed, first stabbed Mr Theobald, inflicting injuries including a 13-15cm deep in the victim’s chest which penetrated the heart and lung. Mr Theobald died at the scene.

    The offender then repeatedly stabbed Mr Kozlovskis, who died in hospital having suffered injuries including a 10-12 cm deep stab wound to the chest as well as wounds to the neck, armpit, abdomen and knee.

    On 6 October 2022 Jhagra was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years for two counts of murder.

    His sentence was then referred to the Court of Appeal as Unduly Lenient.

    On 20 December 2022 the Court quashed Jhagra’s original sentence and handed down a new sentence of a life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years.

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

    “Today I wish to express my sympathies to the families of both Janis Kozlovskis and Ryan Theobald.”

    “While no sentence can repair the damage caused by Amrit Jhagra’s barbaric actions, I welcome the decision of the Court to sentence him to a longer prison term which is a better reflection of his violent offending.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Offender Mark Rooney receives increased prison sentence for abusing two victims [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Offender Mark Rooney receives increased prison sentence for abusing two victims [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 20 December 2022.

    An offender who abused two victims has been ordered to spend longer in prison after his sentence was determined to be unduly lenient.

    Mark Rooney, 35, committed numerous offences against the first victim including assaulting them while on holiday, forcing himself into their home while armed with a baseball bat and threatening to share private images of her.

    The victim also had to go to hospital after sustaining an injury to her lower back and substantial bruising to other body parts which were inflicted by the offender.

    Whilst on bail for these offences, Rooney threw a can of beer at a different victim before threatening to burn her face with a BBQ. When this victim tried to retrieve their mobile phone from Rooney, he hit her in the face with it, causing her to lose consciousness.

    On 17 October 2022, at Liverpool Crown Court, Rooney was sentenced to 42 weeks’ imprisonment for offences including putting a person in fear of violence by harassment and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

    His sentence was then referred to the Court of Appeal as Unduly Lenient.

    On 20 December 2022 the Court quashed Rooney’s original sentence and handed down a new sentence of 74 weeks’ imprisonment.

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

    Mark Rooney displayed shameful behaviour and put both of the victims through a terrifying ordeal. I hope the decision to imprison him for longer sends the message that such vile abusive actions will never be tolerated.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Training for Ukrainian judges begins under UK legal supervision [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Training for Ukrainian judges begins under UK legal supervision [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 14 December 2022.

    A training programme for Ukrainian judges set to conduct trials for war crimes has begun as part of UK efforts to secure justice for the country’s citizens.

    A training programme for Ukrainian judges set to conduct trials for war crimes has begun as part of UK efforts to secure justice for the country’s citizens.

    More than 90 judges will undergo the UK funded sessions, which are being held in the region under the supervision of Sir Howard Morrison KC, a former Judge at the International Criminal Court. Sir Howard was appointed by the former Attorney General in March to act as an independent advisor to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, now Andriy Kostin, as part of a wider package of support for the war-torn country.

    Attorney General Victoria Prentis KC said:

    Ukraine is navigating a horrifying catalogue of war crimes, with 50,000 cases recorded so far – the UK is committed to helping them secure justice.

    The training for judges is an important step in making sure those who are committing unthinkable atrocities against innocent civilians are held to account.

    We are throwing the full force of our support – including some of the UK’s finest legal minds – to make sure that happens.

    The training is just one part of a £2.5m justice and accountability package of UK assistance directly to Ukraine. In May, the UK, the US and EU, established the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group to directly support the War Crimes Units of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine – to assist in streamlining coordination, avoiding duplication, and providing advice and practical assistance.

    The package also includes the deployment of Mobile Justice Teams to the scene of potential war crimes, forensic evidence gathering and support from UK experts in sexual violence in conflict.

    A further £1million was pledged in funding for the International Criminal Court, whose work includes an investigation into the brutalities being committed by Russian forces as the ongoing conflict continues.

    Sir Howard Morrison KC said:

    The first sessions have now taken place, they had a focus on international and humanitarian law with an emphasis on trying war crimes cases and producing a full judgment in an international court of law.

    The judges are of course very experienced in Ukrainian domestic law, but many have never tried war crimes before, and it is specialised business.

    Andriy Kostin is doing an excellent job and faces a task almost unparalleled in modern history as he prepares to take the Russian forces responsible for these abhorrent crimes to trial during a live conflict.

    At the G7 justice ministers meeting in Germany this month, the UK co-signed the Berlin declaration in a pledge of ‘unwavering solidarity to Ukraine”.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Paedophile Paul Cartwright duped by police sentenced to immediate imprisonment after referral to the Court of Appeal [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Paedophile Paul Cartwright duped by police sentenced to immediate imprisonment after referral to the Court of Appeal [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General on 1 December 2022.

    A man who planned to sexually abuse a child has been sentenced to an immediate prison term after the case was referred to the Court of Appeal for being unduly lenient.

    Paul Cartwright, 56, believed he had been messaging the child’s aunt ‘Liv’ over a four-week period in which he persistently and graphically discussed sexual abuse of 11-year-old ‘Demi’.  He arranged to meet ‘Liv’ with a view to carrying out the abuse but was instead met by an undercover police officer.

    On 15 September 2022, he was sentenced to a 24-month jail sentence suspended for 2 years, ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work, attend 35 rehabilitation days and abstain from alcohol for 3 months. Cartwright was also ordered to register as a sex offender and be subject to the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

    Following the sentencing at St Alban’s Crown Court, it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme for being too low.

    On 1 December 2022, the Court found Cartwright’s original sentence to be unduly lenient, and he was sentenced to an immediate prison term of 2 years and 6 months.

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

    Thanks to police intervention no harm was caused to a child, but this tougher sentence is a better reflection of Cartwright’s clear intent to sexually abuse a child which will not be tolerated.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Increased prison sentence for Jamie Hardman who committed sexual assault [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Increased prison sentence for Jamie Hardman who committed sexual assault [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General on 1 December 2022.

    A man who sexually assaulted a woman in her flat has been ordered to spend longer in prison after his sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

    After entering the flat of the victim, Jamie Hardman, 33, went into her bedroom and got into her bed. The victim was unwell and had her back to Hardman and thought it was her partner who just got into the bed with her.

    Hardman then carried out the assault which caused the victim to run and lock herself in the bathroom. Hardman then left the flat.

    On 31 August 2022 at Inner London Crown Court, Hardman was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months’ imprisonment for assault by penetration.

    His sentence was then referred to the Court of Appeal for being too low.

    On 01 December 2022, the Court ruled that Hardman’s original sentence was unduly lenient and handed down a new sentence of 4 years and nine months’ imprisonment.

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

    “Jamie Hardman demonstrated shocking predatory behaviour and put the victim of this crime through a terrifying ordeal. I welcome the decision to increase his sentence and hope that this ruling sends the message that crimes of sexual violence will never be tolerated.”