(no subject)
A change is proposed whereby defendants entering an early guilty plea can have their sentences reduced by half, rather than a third as per current sentencing guidelines. People have raised concerns about this, observing that the average sentence for rape is five years, and if this is reduced to two and a half years, the effective sentence is fifteen months. Ken Clarke responded thus:
On being told that the sentence for rape was five years on average, Mr Clarke said: "That includes date rape, 17-year-olds having intercourse with 15 year olds.."
"Serious rape - I don't think many judges give five years for a forcible rape frankly, the tariff is longer than that. A serious rape with violence and an unwilling woman - the tariff is longer than that."
So, by implication, 'date rape' is neither serious nor forcible and does not involve an unwilling woman.
Ken Clarke is the head of our legal system.
On being told that the sentence for rape was five years on average, Mr Clarke said: "That includes date rape, 17-year-olds having intercourse with 15 year olds.."
"Serious rape - I don't think many judges give five years for a forcible rape frankly, the tariff is longer than that. A serious rape with violence and an unwilling woman - the tariff is longer than that."
So, by implication, 'date rape' is neither serious nor forcible and does not involve an unwilling woman.
Ken Clarke is the head of our legal system.