§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce minimum sentences for those guilty of paedophile offences; and if he will make a statement.[128987]
§ Paul GogginsThe Government have no plans to introduce a minimum sentence for those found guilty of sexual offences against children. The offences cover a wide range of behaviour and in some cases the offender may himself be a child.
However, the Criminal Justice Bill currently before Parliament will establish a Sentencing Guidelines Council, chaired by the Lord Chief Justice. The Council will be responsible for setting guidelines for the full range of criminal offences, including sexual offences against children. It will be required to consult Parliament before publishing a guideline and will commission advice from the Sentencing Advisory Panel which will consult widely.
The guidelines should ensure that there is an agreed starting point for sentences and agreed aggravating and mitigating factors. In each individual case, the judge or magistrate will continue to make a decision as to sentence as they see fit, but will be required to operate within the Council's guidelines or explain why they do not apply to the case in question.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce legislation to increase the maximum sentence for those guilty of paedophile offences; and if he will make a statement on judicial leniency in such cases.[128988]
§ Paul GogginsThe new Sexual Offences Bill includes a range of child sexual offences that will cover not only unlawful sexual intercourse but also other forms of sexual touching involving a child under 16. The offences are underpinned by maximum penalties. Many of these represent significant increases on the maximum penalties available for the comparable offending at present.
The Criminal Justice Bill currently before Parliament will establish a Sentencing Guidelines Council, chaired by the Lord Chief Justice. The Council will be 1241W responsible for setting guidelines for the full range of criminal offences, including sexual offences against children. It is proposed that Parliament will also be consulted as a guideline is developed. In each individual case, the judge or magistrate will continue to make a decision as to sentence as they see fit, but will be required to operate within the Council's guidelines or explain why they do not apply to the case in question.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the funding for the Special Paedophile Unit; and if he will make a statement on its role.[128989]
§ Paul GogginsThe Paedophilia On Line Investigation Team (POLIT) is a unit of the National Crime Squad (NCS) which administers online paedophile investigations on a national basis.
The unit is responsible for directing key investigations on behalf of forces and providing a national single point of contact for international enquiries in relation to online child sex abuse. The unit is particularly well known for the vital role it has assumed in the coordination of Operation Ore.
The funding of this unit is currently being considered as part of the wider funding provision for the National Crime Squad for the years 2004–05 and beyond.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures are in place to test whether a convicted paedophile is ready for release; and what plans he has to change these procedures. [128990]
§ Paul GogginsWhere release of a prisoner is discretionary, a variety of reports from a number of different sources are produced to assess a prisoner's suitability for release, and to inform the decision making process. These may include specific assessments designed for sex offenders. The assessment process is kept under review.