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Crime Desk
Lord Justice Leveson insists plans to reduce assault related custodial sentences have not been driven by government needs to cut public spending rather than for the system to be fair, proportionate and transparent. The changes determine that citizens who are charged with assault will not be sent to prison,instead guidelines would introduce proportinality and a more logical hierarchy of sentences according to Lord Justice Leveson.
According to reports these changes are expected to take place next spring with plans have 3,000 fewer jail sentences and savings for the prison and probation services of more than £16 million and £3 million a year respectively.
Recent figures gathered by THE TIMES show that during the years 1999 and 2008, the average custodial term for causing actual bodily harm rose by 39 per cent and by 17 per cent and 11 per cent for grievous bodily harm and common assault. The new plan according to the draft guidelines will remove " undue emphasis on premeditation" and the main focuspoint will be the harm caused and the culpability of the offender.
Lord Justice Leveson commented on this plan by saying: " None of us are soft on crime, there has been an increase in the severity of sentences at the lower end of the assault range and i think we're trying to adjust that for reasons of proportionality, rather anything else".
The Sentencing Guidelines Council has already been set up by the council since April which is responsible for assessing and monitoring the impact these sentences will have and to also monitor public confidence.
These guidelines according to THE TIMES will result in a 1,000 to 2,800 fewer sentences for common assault, prison also prison will save up to £ 10 million a year.
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