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| Huhne and Pryce: what is the normal sentence for their crime? | Huhne and Pryce: what is the normal sentence for their crime? |
| (8 days later) | |
| The eight month prison sentences imposed on Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce are well within the normal range for such offences but slightly longer than many had expected. | The eight month prison sentences imposed on Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce are well within the normal range for such offences but slightly longer than many had expected. |
| The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, at one point in his remarks referred to it being "the type of offence which requires the court to underline that deterrence is one of the purposes of sentence". He added: "Offending of this sort strikes at the heart of the criminal justice system." | The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, at one point in his remarks referred to it being "the type of offence which requires the court to underline that deterrence is one of the purposes of sentence". He added: "Offending of this sort strikes at the heart of the criminal justice system." |
| Huhne and Pryce will probably serve only two months in prison. The judge said they would be released on licence halfway through their sentences, but would be eligible for earlier release under supervision. | Huhne and Pryce will probably serve only two months in prison. The judge said they would be released on licence halfway through their sentences, but would be eligible for earlier release under supervision. |
| This refers to the home detention curfew scheme, under which prisoners are released after serving a quarter of their sentence – in this case two months. | This refers to the home detention curfew scheme, under which prisoners are released after serving a quarter of their sentence – in this case two months. |
| Those released under the scheme have to abide by a minimum nine-hour curfew, enforced by an electronic tag usually fastened on the ankle. | Those released under the scheme have to abide by a minimum nine-hour curfew, enforced by an electronic tag usually fastened on the ankle. |
| The expected range of a prison sentence for perverting the course of justice is between four and 36 months, according to the Crown Prosecution Service. In assessing punishment, judges can take into account the "seriousness of the substantive offence", how long the offender persisted in misleading the authorities and whether it was premeditated. | The expected range of a prison sentence for perverting the course of justice is between four and 36 months, according to the Crown Prosecution Service. In assessing punishment, judges can take into account the "seriousness of the substantive offence", how long the offender persisted in misleading the authorities and whether it was premeditated. |
| Recent cases involving motorists who lied about their driving have resulted in relatively short prison sentences. An army captain who had been caught by a speed camera and tried to escape punishment by telling police his vehicle had been exported was given three months in jail in 2003. | Recent cases involving motorists who lied about their driving have resulted in relatively short prison sentences. An army captain who had been caught by a speed camera and tried to escape punishment by telling police his vehicle had been exported was given three months in jail in 2003. |
| In another case in 2008, a driver who pleaded guilty to being involved in an accident – when in fact his son was driving – was given six months in prison when he eventually admitted the deception. | In another case in 2008, a driver who pleaded guilty to being involved in an accident – when in fact his son was driving – was given six months in prison when he eventually admitted the deception. |
| Within the criminal justice system, some offices have been holding sweepstakes to see how closely experts can anticipate the actual sentence. Perverting the course of justice is a common law offence. It carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a fine. | Within the criminal justice system, some offices have been holding sweepstakes to see how closely experts can anticipate the actual sentence. Perverting the course of justice is a common law offence. It carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a fine. |
| Perverting the course of justice is an offence that appears to pose a significant risk for politicians. Jeffrey Archer, the former Conservative party deputy chairman, was sentenced to four years for perjury and perverting the course of justice. | Perverting the course of justice is an offence that appears to pose a significant risk for politicians. Jeffrey Archer, the former Conservative party deputy chairman, was sentenced to four years for perjury and perverting the course of justice. |
| The former Conservative MP Jonathan Aitken, who sued the Guardian for libel, was given 18 months in prison for perverting the course of justice and perjury. It is thought that no one has been sentenced to more than 10 years in jail in the past century for the offence of perverting the course of justice. | The former Conservative MP Jonathan Aitken, who sued the Guardian for libel, was given 18 months in prison for perverting the course of justice and perjury. It is thought that no one has been sentenced to more than 10 years in jail in the past century for the offence of perverting the course of justice. |
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