Victims of sick criminals are being 'slapped in face' with short sentence review

A landmark review of how criminals are punished has been described as a "slap in the face" for victims. The father of four-year-old Violet-Grace Youens - who was killed when hit by a stolen car driven at 83mph - was disappointed by the sentencing review carried out by former Conservative Lord Chancellor David Gauke.

This is expected to lead to some serious offenders being eligible for release after serving just a third of their sentences.

Glenn Youens - a leading member of the Justice for Victims campaign group - said: "The very least we think victims should expect is to be treated with respect. Even though Mr Gauke refused to meet us, he met other victims' groups.

"What was the point if he ignored victims' point of view? Our voice isn't the only voice, but it's an important one.

"His report is actually a slap in the face for victims."

Violet-Grace and her grandmother, Angela French, were hit by a stolen Ford Fiesta when crossing a road in St Helens, Merseyside, in 2017. Driver Aidan McAteer was jailed for nine years and four months for causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. The family learned he was released on licence in December 2021.

Shadow Justice Minister Kieran Mullan told the Sunday Express he agreed with Mr Youens that the review was a "slap in the face for victims".

He said: "How is it respectful of victims and their families to not even give some time to what they might think and want? Victims and their families aren't at the centre of the justice system and Mr Gauke didn't make their views on what constitutes justice at the centre of his review and he should be ashamed of that."

Mr Mullan said Violet-Grace's parents are "campaigning because they know the sentences" prisoners get and "they are too often woefully short and failing to provide justice".

He pledged Conservatives would "do everything we can in Parliament" to stop serious criminals getting out early.

"MPs will have constituents who have suffered as a result of horrendous crimes and I hope they will all want to ensure they get the justice they deserve," he said.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "The Government inherited prisons in crisis, close to collapse. The greatest failure for victims would be letting our jails run out of space and allowing crime to go unchecked without punishment.

"We are building new prisons, on track for 14,000 places by 2031 - the largest expansion since the Victorians. Our sentencing reforms will force prisoners to earn their way to release or face longer in jail for bad behaviour, while ensuring the most dangerous offenders can be kept off our streets.

"We will also increase probation funding by up to £700million by 2028-29 to tag and monitor tens of thousands more offenders in the community."