Longer jail terms for serious offenders, community punishments including 20-hour-a-day curfews and the use of satellite monitoring for convicted burglars were among measures outlined in an overhaul of courts' powers. Mr Buckland, a barrister and part-time judge, said: "I want to change this system, I've had 30 years of working in it. Other serious adult offenders would be required to serve more of their term behind bars before they can be considered for release, he pledged. The Justice Secretary admitted the current sentencing regime left many petty criminals stuck in a life of crime with little hope of turning things around. Shadow Justice Secretary David Lammy urged the Government not to apply tougher sentences "gratuitously", but welcomed reforms to "protect the British public".

Source: Daily Mirror September 16, 2020 16:33 UTC