§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give consideration to introducing more severe criminal penalties and to increasing the maximum penalties for those convicted of violent acts against the elderly and disabled.
§ Mr. MayhewThe maximum penalties for acts of this kind are already severe. The most serious offences of violence, including robbery and assault causing grievous bodily harm, carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The Court of Appeal has repeatedly made it clear that most robberies and offences involving serious violence are offences for which medium or long-term custodial sentences are appropriate. It is for the courts alone to determine the appropriate sentence in individual cases, but the vulnerability of the victim is clearly an important consideration in deciding the type and length of sentence to be given.