The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has claimed hundreds of defendants a month are being handed stiffer sentences because they have committed a hate crime motivated by prejudice.
The CPS has published statistics to show 1,814 criminal sentences were ‘uplifted’ across England and Wales between January and April this year.
Crimes which are eligible for an uplifted sentence are any that are motivated ‘wholly or partly’ by hostility based on perceived religion, race, sexual orientation or disability.
The increased sentences ranged from extended prison terms to longer community punishments, depending on the crime.
In a case in West Yorkshire the defendant pushed a victim and grabbed her headscarf. She was convicted after trial of religiously aggravated common assault by beating. She was sentenced to 12 weeks’ imprisonment uplifted from an initial eight weeks, suspended for 12 months. A Restraining Order was also imposed.
Stage set for return of Leeds Summer Series
Three jailed over Rochdale machete attack linked to crime feud
Police appeal to trace wanted Bradford man
Wakefield man convicted of manslaughter after pub incident
Nominations open for Blackburn with Darwen Community Volunteer Awards
Woman arrested after attempted robbery in Cheetham Hill
Bradford Council seeks inclusion in grooming gangs inquiry
Former care home worker jailed for 25 years over child abuse offences
Bradford man jailed for sexual assault on teenager
Culture at the Heart of Stockport’s Transformation
South Asian Art Exhibition Opens at Cartwright Hall
Men’s Mental Fitness Programme Launches in Blackburn
The Golden Era
Remix Saturdays
Alim OnAir
Legal Show