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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Judges group attack sentence plan | Judges group attack sentence plan |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The body which represents 652 judges in England and Wales has attacked government proposals to introduce compulsory guidelines on sentences. | The body which represents 652 judges in England and Wales has attacked government proposals to introduce compulsory guidelines on sentences. |
| The Council of Circuit Judges said the government's plans were "unnecessary, costly and unwelcome". | The Council of Circuit Judges said the government's plans were "unnecessary, costly and unwelcome". |
| The Council said the imposition of mandatory guidelines "may result in injustice to both offenders and victims in individual cases". | The Council said the imposition of mandatory guidelines "may result in injustice to both offenders and victims in individual cases". |
| The plans are contained in the Coroners and Justice Bill. | The plans are contained in the Coroners and Justice Bill. |
| This is currently going through Parliament. | This is currently going through Parliament. |
| BBC Home Affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said it was "highly unusual" for the judiciary to make such a statement. | |
| The government is looking to introduce a sentencing council which would impose rigid guidelines for judges. | |
| This would allow them to more accurately predict what would happen to the prison population. | |
| But the council said this move would remove judges' ability to use discretion. | |
| The statement said: "We do not believe that the introduction of mandatory guidelines will facilitate the just and proper sentencing of offenders. | |
| "We consider it may result in injustice to both offenders and victims in individual cases. For example the position of some female offenders, young offenders and those in minority or disabled groups may be prejudiced." |