Mon 25 September 2023:
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is reportedly set to announce proposals which would force convicted rapists to serve their full sentence as part of a ‘gear change’ on crime.
Convicted rapists frequently commit new crimes. The United Kingdom has documented numerous incidents where, after receiving an early pardon, such criminals went on to repeat or conduct even more terrible offenses.
According to the Daily Mail, the move is part of a larger ‘gear change’ by Number 10 Downing Street to unveil the’real Rishi’ ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections.
Part of this strategy was last Wednesday’s ‘green gamble’ hitting the brakes on the race to net zero.
At the time, announcing the move, Sunak said it was “the first in a series of long-term decisions to deliver change”.
“I have spent my first year as Prime Minister bringing back stability to our economy, your Government and our country. And now it is time to address the bigger, longer-term questions we face,” added the British PM.
“The real choice confronting us is do we want to change our country and build a better future for our children, or do we want to carry on as we are. I have made my decision–we are going to change,” he added.
As per the report, UK Ministry of Justice figures show that in the seven years — since 2016, 112 sex offenders released early have gone on to commit serious offences.
Notorious cases include that of Ashley Shuck, a rapist who in 2017 was convicted of raping ad kidnapping an elderly woman and sexually assaulting another woman, just weeks after he was released halfway through a previous eight-year sentence for raping an 18-year-old.
At the time of his new offences, Shuck was out on the licence. In the UK, offenders are automatically released after serving half their standard determinate sentence. They then complete the rest of their sentence on licence.
Last year, the Police, Crime and Courts Act automatically ended the early release for sexual offences that carry the maximum sentences. Additionally, those serving a sentence of four years or more are now required to serve at least two-thirds of their sentence.
Delays to net zero targets
Sunak also introduced delays to net zero targets as he ramps up his campaign ahead of the general election.
Last week Sunak announced he is pushing back the ban on new petrol and diesel cars, watered down the plan to phase out gas boilers by 2035 and scrapped the requirement of energy efficiency upgrades to homes.
Despite the backlash over the changes, the Prime Minister said he was confident he would meet net zero targets to combat climate change and help the UK reach net zero by 2050.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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