Criminals to pay price for slow confessions

The plans, which aim to stop wasting police and prosecutors' time and money, could mean only those offenders who admit their guilt at the police station would get the maximum discount off their jail terms, currently set at one-third. Those who delay pleading guilty until the first day of trial may still get a discount, but it would be a much lower reduction.

Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Tim Godwin said the change was needed to reduce the anxiety faced by victims and witnesses while cutting costs and rewarding offenders who did not cause delays.

He said: "A person who indicates their guilt, or agrees the fact at the police station, is the one who is saving victims a lot of grief and stress and at the same time saving taxpayers a lot of money, and they are the ones who should get the maximum discount.

"But at the moment, the guilty plea discount is being applied equally when a person pleads guilty at the start of their trial. We think that needs to change."

The Sentencing Council, which advises the Government, is reviewing the discount rules following a request from the Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke.

Previously the council has raised concerns that defendants were getting full discounts for a guilty plea entered at crown court, even if they failed to enter a plea when they appeared before magistrates.

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "A full assessment of sentencing is currently taking place. We will consult on any proposals for reform in the autumn.

"Our priority is to protect the public, cut crime and prevent re-offending."