Drivers could face life sentences for causing loss of life, new plans show

Motorists that cause death by speeding or by using a mobile phone could face life sentences, due to new plans being unveiled this week.

This overhaul of sentencing, known as the sentencing white paper, will be unveiled by Robert Buckland, the justice secretary, later this week. The plan will lower the age from 21 to 18 that life sentences for murder can be handed.

The decision follows concerns from families and officials that the previous sentence of 14 years, shows a disparity between the punishment and the crime.

The life sentence plan could also apply to drunk drivers and motorists under the influence of drugs that cause death.

In 2018, there were 240 fatalities in accidents where at least one drunk driver was involved.

Buckland said: "We will bring forward legislation early next year to introduce life sentences for dangerous drivers who kill on our roads, and ensure they feel the full force of the law."

Other proposed changes include halting the automatic release of prisoners that have been radicalised behind bars. The new plans would see these offenders being referred to the parole board, where it will determined if it is safe to release them before completing their entire sentence.

Concerns over the seriousness of the crime being reflected in the sentencing have increased since the sentencing of Hasham Abedi last month.

Hashem, the brother of Salman Abedi known as the 'Manchester Arena bomber', was found guilty of the murder of 22 people but was spared a full life sentence due to his age.

Despite this, Hashem will be in prison for 55 years and will be going on 80 years old when he is applicable for parole.

There are even larger concerns with the white paper, as it's ultimate goal is seemingly to add more convicts for longer periods to a prison system that is already bursting at the seams.

The chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, Frances Crook, said that the comments from the government surrounding redemption being an essential part of justice were being abandoned.

Crook said: "Courts already have draconian powers to impose long sentences, and there is no evidence that adding a whole-life sentence will protect one single victim."

The chair of the Bar Council, Amanda Pinto QC, stated that cuts to the justice system's budget have resulted in a considerable backlog of cases and now "court. What message does that give the British public? Investment in the entire system, including the court process, is now critical".