Mike Penning, calls for a Parliamentary debate on Judges’ Sentencing.

In a debate on the forthcoming Business of the House in the House of Commons, yesterday, Mike Penning called on the Leader of the House of Commons, Geoff Hoon, for a debate and urgent review into sentencing, in particular what is actually meant by a “life sentence”. Afterwards, Mike Penning said “The British people, quite rightly, assume that “life” means “life” and have been shocked that a life sentence could mean a prison sentence of as little as 6 years. Surely this is ethically and morally wrong,” he continued.

“I will continue to raise this issue with the Government until they see sense and allow an open and honest debate,” he said.

In particular, Mike Penning is infuriated at the leniency of a sentence handed out at St Albans Crown Court to a Hertfordshire man convicted of raping a 12-week-old baby in Hatfield. He said “The people of Hertfordshire don’t understand why “life” can’t mean “life” when it comes to sentencing murderers and rapists”.