12 week old baby - protest to the Attorney General about leniency of the sentence

[georginars]

Ok, I have just been listening to LBC and they had a guest on from Phoenix Survivors Trust who was herself prostituted, with her sisters, from babyhood. Her name is Shy Keenan.

Obviously we're all appalled by this crime, but we should also be appalled by the leniency of the sentent. Apparently, if anyone objects to a sentence handed down, we can raise our objections to the Attorney General and the volume of complaints will be taken into account. The lady siad that they have already had some sentencs increased so it's got to be a worth a go, hasn't it!

I don't think you can email the AG, but here are his contact details:

ATTORNEY GENERAL
The Rt Hon Lord Goldsmith QC

ADDRESS
Attorney General?s Chambers
9 Buckingham Gate
London
SW1E 6JP
Tel: 020 7271 2400
FAX: 020 7271 2454

You need to give the details of the case in your letter. these are (and I apologise for naming these 'people', but it's in a good cause)
Alan Webster - sentenced to life, with a recommendation to serve a minimum of 12 years - and can apply for parole after 6 years.
Tanya French - sentenced to 5 years.
The case was heard at St Albans Crown Court and the judge was Findlay Baker QC.

So, shall we give it a go? I'm going to be doing it as it seems to be something concrete we can do. I'm not generally much of a crusader and I don't speak out much, but I thought I should bring this to your attention as I didn't know how many people would head the radio.

Hopefully the nasty pervert will receive some form of capital punishment whilst incarcerated. I don't know how he can live with himself anyway. The poor little baby - hope she's young enough to recover emotionally (and physically) and has a life of happiness and love. Poor little mite. How guilty must her mummy feel.

Just thought Georginars and others who posted here might be interested to know that I received a reply from my MP today. He says he has written to the Home Secretary expressing our and his concerns and will write to me again when he has a response. At least he took the trouble to do something.

Kate, you should forward him this thread!

that's excellent KateF!

I too had a reply from my MP, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown. He has forwarded my email (so emails do get noticed too )to the Attorney General and will write to me again when he has had a reply. I have copied the relevant bits as follows:

"If he believes a sentence to be unduly lenient, the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, has the power to refer a case to the Court of Appeal, which can then consider a harsher penalty. I would add that Parliament does not have the power to order the Attorney General to refer the case to the court of Appeal."

"Currently Webster will serve a minimum of six years, although French may be released early. Under the current system, prisoners sentenced to less than four years in prison are automatically released after serving just half their sentence - irrespective of whether they remain a danger to the public. Prisoners sentenced to over four years are released after serving two thirds of their sentence, and possibly even earlier, after serving just half their sentence."

G C-B also seems to think our current sentencing guidelines are ridiculous and I am going to write to him asking him to do something about it. Any thoughts and ideas welcomed.

i have sent off the cut out in the sun paper already i really admire you georginars for starting this thread i hope all mn ers will respond and lets hope and pray it makes a difference xxxx

I have just sent my email. Sorry for the delay but haven't been on for a while. Well done all of you that have already received replied from local MPs.

bump

bump bump bump ....... anyone?

Looks like it worked and the Attorney General has asked for a review - see here .
Nice work Mumsnetters!

Excellent.

Thank goodness - let's hope the appeal is successful.

Well done everyone who wrote - just goes to show that "ordinary" people like us can make a difference.

I am so pleased about this - I just pray that the Court of Appeal gives a more appropriate sentence to both.

well done to everyone who helped with this and well done to YOU Georginas for everything you did to bring this to our attention and to make us all awarethat we can make a differnce. you are a star xxxxxxxxxxx

Have emailed too. Well done georgina!

Message withdrawn

little bump so that others who wrote can see the news that's it's to be appealed

NICE ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Was just about to post about the review. Lets hope the sentencing reflects the seriousness of the crime this time.

Message withdrawn

i saw in the sun paper today that they are asking for an appeal 160,000 readers sent off the slip in the paper for the petition so plus all of us who emailed surely they cant really refuse can they ?

Just to bump this, Today is the day that 3 appeal court Judges will decide whether these evil scum get to spend more time behind bars. Lets all hope today, that justice will be done.

Anyone heard anything?

Just seen this, on the 29th march it was reported in the local paper that the judge didn't have the power to review their prison sentances, you can read it \link{http://www.herts24.co.uk/search/story.aspx?brand=WHTOnline&category=News&itemid=WEED29%20Mar%202006%2008:37:04:227&tBrand=WHTOnline&tCategory=search\here}. The sentances will be reviewed by the most senior judge in the country.

I don't understand why he doesn't have the power to review their sentences - any legal eagles out there who can explain it?

These two are utterly repulsive in every way. The whole thing makes me so angry.