Summary: Listen to the show here. This week Kim and Lyndon return to talk about two recent MoJ announcements and Dan discusses the Amanda Hutton manslaughter conviction and sentence. So first off, Kim and Lyndon look at the recent announcement that the MoJ intend to scrap simple cautions for the most serious offences. Is it pure political posturing, or is there some substance - and justification - behind the proposal? Kim, as an ex-police officer, offers an interesting insight. Lyndon introduces the second proposal, that the MoJ will scrap early release from prison for those convicted of child rape or terrorist offences. Everyone knows that when sentenced to 4 years in prison, an offender usually only serves 2 years. Kim asks why this change will apply only to those offences listed and Lyndon looks at the possible effect of the policy. Finally, Dan looks at the sentence of 15 years imposed on Amanda Hutton for the manslaughter of her son and other associated offences. If you’d like us to discuss a particular topic or issue in next week’s show, then get in touch: @uk_criminal_law or ukcrimeblog@gmail.com Links Cautions MoJ Press Release on 'banning' cautions for serious offences R (T) v Chief Constable of Greater Manchester & Others 2013 EWCA Civ 25 Early release MoJ Press Release on scrapping early release for certain prisoners Halsbury’s Law Exchange Blog on the possible effects of the announcement Manslaughter R v Hutton and Khan sentencing remarks
