Perilous
Times
UK riots: young yobs back on streets despite David Cameron's
pledge
Young offenders who took part in the rioting and looting that
blighted Britain’s streets this week are walking free from court
without facing significant penalties.
By James Kirkup, and Tom Whitehead
9:40PM BST 11 Aug 2011
The Telegraph UK
Despite David Cameron's promises that they would face
"punishment", a string of juvenile criminals have been allowed to
return home with their parents.
Several of the young rioters have been pictured in national
newspapers committing crimes. Nonetheless, they retain the court's
protection of legal anonymity.
The sentences being handed down have dismayed police and MPs after
the Prime Minister's promise that rioters would "pay for what they
have done".
Further undermining Mr Cameron's tough rhetoric, Kenneth Clarke,
the Justice Secretary, backed the courts. He rejected the Prime
Minister's call for new sentencing rules.
According to the Metropolitan Police, about half of the 240 people
to appear in court so far charged with being involved in the
London riots are younger than 18. The Met has arrested 1,009
people in connection with the disorder and 464 have been charged.
Mr Cameron this week promised offenders would not escape
punishment because of their age, but several cases yesterday
increased concerns that young rioters were not being held to
account.
In separate cases in Manchester, two 12–year–old boys walked away
from court after being involved in looting. One admitted stealing
a £7.49 bottle of wine from a Sainsbury's store and was given a
ninemonth referral order.
In court, the youngster appeared ashamed of his actions. But after
the hearing, he and his mother swore at reporters.
The other Manchester boy was handed a four–month referral order
after admitting using threatening words and behaviour. Several
other youths also walked from Manchester city magistrates' court.
A 16–year–old boy admitted handling £120 worth of stolen goods and
was given a 10–month referral order and ordered to pay prosecutor
costs of £120.
A 15–year–old girl was also given a 10–month referral order for
stealing alcohol from a Tesco store after admitting burglary. And
a 17–yearold was given 18 hours of community service after
admitting possessing cannabis.
Mr Cameron has made repeated attempts to dismiss worries about
sentencing, promising a hardline approach to rioters. Earlier this
week, he warned that even the youngest offenders would face heavy
penalties. "If you're old enough to commit the crime, you are old
enough to face the punishment," he said. Ministers have spoken of
removing benefits and council housing from those convicted of
rioting or looting.
In Nottingham yesterday, an 11–year–old girl, who only left
primary school last month, smirked and refused to apologise when
put before a judge.
She admitted causing criminal damage on Tuesday by smashing shop
windows. A judge gave her a nine–month referral order because of
her age.
Referral orders are for those under the age of 18 and are a
mixture of community work and intervention programmes to help
rehabilitation or alter behaviour.
In London, an aspiring dance teacher was filmed as she took a
flatscreen television from a looted store, then went back for a
second.
The 17 year–old was part of a female gang that allegedly forced
its way into the Croydon branch of Richer Sounds. She turned
herself in after her picture appeared in the newspapers but
retains her anonymity for legal reasons. She was remanded at
Westminster magistrates' court to appear at a later date.
James Clappison, a Conservative member of the home affairs
committee, said he was "very concerned" about young rioters' light
sentences.
"The courts are failing to hand down sufficiently tough
sentences," he said. "We need deterrent sentences, but we are not
seeing that. Magistrates need to think again."
Police chiefs also expressed concern at soft sentences.
David Attoh, 18, this week admitted stealing two designer T–shirts
in Hackney, east London. A magistrate told him that the two days
he had spent in a cell awaiting his hearing was adequate
punishment and freed him.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stephen Kavanagh of the Metropolitan
Police said officers who had tackled rioters were dismayed by such
sentences.
"Some of us have been disappointed by some of the early sentences
we have seen, especially those officers who have been on the front
line facing the violence and disorder," he said.
Mr Kavanagh said Tim Godwin, the acting Met Commissioner, had
raised concerns about sentencing with ministers. MPs were
yesterday recalled from their summer break to debate the riots and
Tory backbenchers pressed Mr Cameron to make good on his promises.
Angie Bray, whose Ealing Central constituency saw serious
violence, challenged Mr Cameron: "Can he assure my constituents
that those who are found guilty will feel the full force of the
law, including prison sentences?"
Mr Cameron replied: "People taking part in violent disorder should
expect to go to prison."
He also suggested that sentencing rules could be toughened. "We
are keeping under constant review whether the courts have the
sentencing powers they need and we'll act if necessary," he told
MPs.
Government sources said options for change include increasing
magistrates' powers to jail offenders. Under current rules,
magistrates can jail offenders for a maximum of six months. That
could double to a year, sources said.
However, even as Mr Cameron was speaking, Mr Clarke appeared to
rule out any change on sentencing. In a BBC Radio Four interview,
Mr Clarke said "enough" prison sentences were being imposed.
He said: "The system is working."