Serial thieves should face jail threat insists Justice Minister

Damian Green dismissed suggestions that thieves and fraudsters should be spared jail terms, saying it would send the wrong signal to criminals, the public and victims.

Mr Green’s comments came after law professor Andrew Ashworth said prison should be reserved for the most serious crimes including those of a violent, threatening or sexual nature, even when offenders continually commit property offences.

Writing in a pamphlet for the Howard League for Penal Reform, Prof Ashworth said while prison should still be considered in cases of robbery, blackmail and burglary, its use is disproport-
ionate for crimes that do not involve violence, threats or sexual assault.

But Mr Green said: “I don’t agree with that, I think that would not just send the wrong signal to criminals and the public, it would send the wrong signal to victims.”

Speaking in London’s Canary Wharf after delivering a speech to magistrates about their role in the criminal justice system, he said: “I don’t agree at all. I think that repeat offending, even non-violent theft, can be a huge problem for an individual family, for an individual victim and can often blight a whole community.

“Habitual, prolific offenders should have the fear of prison hanging over them.”

The Minister added: “People who commit these crimes devastate lives and cause untold misery in our communities.

“This Government has no intention of changing the law to prevent judges sending them to prison. It is right they have the full range of sentencing options available to them.”

Prof Ashworth’s suggestion that prison sentences are disproportionate for “pure property offences”, including theft, handling of stolen goods, criminal damage and fraud, have sparked anger from some quarters.

A spokesman for Victim Support said it would be difficult for the public to have confidence in community sentences if they knew
reoffenders would be spared
jail.

“Victims tell us they want more than anything else the punishment to fit the crime and for the criminal not to reoffend,” the spokesman said.