Written question asked by Fiona Mactaggart (Labour) on Thursday, 22 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 April 2001. It was answered by Ross Cranston (Labour) on Thursday, 5 April 2001 on behalf of the Solicitor General.

Solicitor-General

Question: To ask the Solicitor General, What criteria he adopts in reviewing the sentences imposed where fatalities have occurred. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Solicitor-General what criteria he adopts in reviewing the sentences imposed where fatalities have occurred. [155712] The Solicitor-General: When deciding whether a sentence is unduly lenient, I look to the relevant statutory provisions and to the judgments of the Court of Appeal in similar cases. These will guide me when determining the appropriate range of sentence for particular offenders. I may only refer sentences that are unduly lenient, not merely lenient. The Court of Appeal has held that an unduly lenient sentence is one which falls outside the range of sentences that a judge, taking into consideration all the relevant factors, could reasonably consider appropriate.

Secondary information