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Written Question
Sentencing: Appeals
Thursday 15th October 2015

Asked by: Huw Merriman (Conservative - Bexhill and Battle)

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, how many times the Law Officers have referred a criminal sentence to the Court of Appeal for review because it was felt to be unduly lenient during the last twelve months.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

In the year to 31st December 2014, the Law Officers personally considered 469 cases and referred 128 offenders to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient sentence scheme. 86% of those offenders had their sentences increased, which included some of the most serious violent and sexual offences, including murder, rape and sexual assault. The full statistics for 2015 will be published early next year.