§ Mr. JamiesonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the statute of limitations for juvenile offenders involved in car crime. [9426]
§ Mr. MacleanThe Government are committed to tackling juvenile crime and have made a number of legislative changes specifically aimed at strengthening the courts' powers for dealing with young offenders. However, we are not aware that the limitation causes problems in practice and there are no plans at present to undertake any such review.
§ Mr. JamiesonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum sentence that can be passed on a 17-year-old convicted of reckless driving. [9428]
§ Mr. MacleanThe maximum sentence that can be passed on a 17-year-old convicted on indictment of dangerous driving is two years detention and/or a fine of up to £1,000. Disqualification from driving is obligatory on conviction for this offence.
§ Mr. JamiesonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum time after which the prosecution can be brought for a vehicle crime. [9427]
§ Mr. MacleanUnder section 127 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980, proceedings for summary offences, which include offences such as taking a vehicle without consent, must be commenced within six months of the date when the alleged offence occurred.
In the case of theft or aggravated vehicle-taking, where a vehicle is taken unlawfully without consent and there is dangerous driving, damage or injury to others before the vehicle is recovered, the offence can be tried either in a magistrates court or in the Crown court and no time limit applies.