HC Deb 26 May 1999 vol 332 cc149-50W
Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answers of 27 April 1999,Official Report, column 110 and 18 May 1999, Official Report, column 295, on home detention curfews, how many of the 14 curfewees referred to in the replies committed offences during their period of curfew (a) punishable with imprisonment and (b) punishable with four years or more imprisonment.[85247]

Mr. George Howarth

Of the 14 curfewees referred to, 13 were charged with offences which were imprisonable. It would not be appropriate to comment on the sentences likely to be imposed by the courts in any individual case. Within the broad statutory limits set by Parliament, sentences are a matter for the courts alone, taking into account all the aggravating and mitigating factors. However, in seven of the cases, the maximum penalty is more than four years' imprisonment.