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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Child knife sellers 'not jailed' | Child knife sellers 'not jailed' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| No one was jailed for selling a knife to a child in England and Wales in the five years up to 2006, it has emerged. | |
| Most of the 71 people convicted of selling knives to under 16-year-olds were fined, but mostly less than £500, despite the maximum fine being £5,000. | Most of the 71 people convicted of selling knives to under 16-year-olds were fined, but mostly less than £500, despite the maximum fine being £5,000. |
| Only one person was given a community sentence, despite the maximum sentence being six months in prison. | |
| The figures, up to the end of 2006, were revealed following parliamentary questions by the Liberal Democrats. | The figures, up to the end of 2006, were revealed following parliamentary questions by the Liberal Democrats. |
| Last year the ban on selling knives was extended to under-18s, but these figures are not yet available. | Last year the ban on selling knives was extended to under-18s, but these figures are not yet available. |
| 'Pitiful' | |
| The Liberal Democrats described the fines imposed as "pitiful" and called for tougher penalties to send a message that selling knives to children is "unacceptable". | The Liberal Democrats described the fines imposed as "pitiful" and called for tougher penalties to send a message that selling knives to children is "unacceptable". |
| The ways in which young people obtain knives has come under increase scrutiny in recent months in the wake of several high profile stabbings involving teenagers. | |
| BBC Home Affairs Correspondent Danny Shaw said Justice Minister Jack Straw had set up a review of knife crime sentencing, to make sure the system was clear, proportionate and working effectively. | |
| The legislation covering sales is enforced by council trading standards officers. Test purchases are commonly carried using underage volunteers. | |
| Meanwhile, under new guidelines for police and prosecutors, anyone aged 16 or over in England and Wales who carries a knife could be taken to court. | |
| Previous police guidance was to prosecute adults caught with a knife, but to caution those under 18. | |
| Conservative leader David Cameron says the presumption should go further - so anyone convicted of carrying a knife should be jailed. |