Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answers of 21 July 2015 to Questions 6745, 6746, 6747, 6748, 6749 and 6750, what the length was of each custodial sentence handed down; and which courts imposed the non-immediate custodial sentences referred to in those Answers.

Crime is falling but offenders committing serious offences are more likely to go to prison and for longer. Sentencing is a matter for our independent courts, taking into account the maximum penalty for the offence, the relevant sentencing guidelines and all the individual facts of each case. Where the offender has recent and relevant previous convictions this is a statutory aggravating factor which should increase the severity of the sentence. In addition, a third conviction for a domestic burglary has a minimum sentence of three years’ imprisonment. Since December 2012 an automatic life sentence applies to any offender convicted of a second very serious sexual crime. Also, since December 2012, threatening with a knife or bladed article in a school or public place has a minimum sentence of six months’ imprisonment, or four months’ detention for a 16 or 17 year old offender. Since 17 July 2015, adult offenders convicted of a second or subsequent offence of possession of a knife or offensive weapon will face a minimum sentence of six months’ imprisonment.

The table below shows the highest number of previous convictions of an offender convicted of the same offence and the sentence received for the most recent offence in England and Wales, 2005 – 2014.