Crime: Stalking

Baroness Brinton Excerpts

Tuesday 12th March 2013 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Brinton]

My Lords, does the Minister agree that there is a serious concern about those stalkers who have continually breached restraining orders—that is, no-contact orders—but have time and time again not received custodial sentences? Many have breached restraining orders on many occasions, but the police and courts have not taken this into account in the suffering of the victims who continue to be stalked between these court appearances. Will the Government ensure that the law changes so that there is an assumption that when restraining orders are repeatedly violated, the sentencing should start with custody?

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

I do not want to move on to the question of sentencing policy, but I want to emphasise that the Government take the offence of stalking seriously; so does my noble friend, who I know is a member of the Justice Unions’ Parliamentary Group, which published a very helpful report on the subject. I note what she said, but I ask her to remember that the Home Office is in continual dialogue with the Crown Prosecution Service on the way these new offences are being implemented.