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Blunkett: Intruders will not be able to ‘turn tables’ on citizens
Home Secretary David Blunkett said today that those intruding on the lives and property of decent citizens will not be able to turn the tables and sue them. He was commenting on the cases of Tony Martin and Brendon Fearon.
Tony Martin was found guilty of the murder of Fred Barras, who was shot during a burglary in Norfolk on 20 August 1999. He was also found guilty of wounding Brendan Fearon during the same incident. Mr Martin was sentenced to life imprisonment and was released yesterday. Brendan Fearon was released from prison on Friday, where he was serving a sentence for an unrelated incident.
Mr Blunkett also said that while he was satisfied that the date of Mr Fearon’s release was entirely in accordance with established procedures, both cases raise a number of issues that the Government is already dealing with.
The Government announced in May that it will introduce an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill to protect the rights of householders. This will mean that burglars trying to sue a householder will not qualify for legal aid.
The Criminal Justice Bill will also ensure sentences are simpler, clearer to understand and more consistent. For the worst crimes, like murder, life will mean life. New sentencing guidelines will deliver more consistent and robust sentences and the Bill introduces a general duty on the courts to give reasons for the sentences passed.
The Bill also contains new measures to ensure that a sentence will include both custody and supervision, and as a result will, for all but the lesser crimes, require that a sentence is carried out in full.
“I am also very concerned about the alleged death threats made against Tony Martin - as I would be if they were made against any citizen,” said Mr Blunkett. “If any newspaper has information about this, they should pass it immediately to the police. That is what I expect them to do. I have asked the Chief Constable of Norfolk to investigate any such allegations.”
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