People who carry knives will face prison sentences of up to three months, after a last minute U-turn on controversial guidance to magistrates.
The independent Sentencing Guidelines Council, widely criticised for suggesting the starting point for those caught in possession of a blade in public should be a fine or community service, has changed tack just before its advice was due to come into force tomorrow.
For a first-time adult offender pleading not guilty, that would mean 12 weeks in prison. For using a knife in so-called dangerous circumstances, such as to threaten or intimidate, defendants should be referred to the crown court where sentences could be six months or more.
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
Woman stabbed to death in south London
A 23yr old woman was stabbed in Battersea at about 9.20pm yesterday and died in hospital.
It is believed the woman, from nearby Wandsworth, knew her attacker, who fled on foot.
Although investigators are keeping an open mind about the motives behind the stabbing, a spokesman for the Metropolitan police said it "appeared to be some sort of domestic [argument]".
It is believed the woman, from nearby Wandsworth, knew her attacker, who fled on foot.
Although investigators are keeping an open mind about the motives behind the stabbing, a spokesman for the Metropolitan police said it "appeared to be some sort of domestic [argument]".
Crime: Woman killed hours after visit from police
Sussex police may be investigated over the murder of a young woman who was stabbed to death in a seaside resort hours after being visited by officers. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) last night confirmed it was assessing police involvement in the case of Cassandra Hasonvic, 24, who was killed in her home in Bognor Regis yesterday.
Her husband, Hajrudin Hasonvic, 32, of Eastney, Hampshire, has been charged with her murder and was due to appear before magistrates in Chichester today.
"We are not looking into the murder itself but police contact with the victim before the incident. It appears to be a domestic related incident and we have deployed a senior investigator and expect to take a decision soon."
The incident follows the murder in June of Aresema Dawit, 15, who was stabbed to death in a south London lift five weeks after Southwark police launched an investigation into complaints that she was being stalked and had received death threats.
Thomas Nugusse, 21, of Ilford, Essex, has been charged with her murder.
Her husband, Hajrudin Hasonvic, 32, of Eastney, Hampshire, has been charged with her murder and was due to appear before magistrates in Chichester today.
"We are not looking into the murder itself but police contact with the victim before the incident. It appears to be a domestic related incident and we have deployed a senior investigator and expect to take a decision soon."
The incident follows the murder in June of Aresema Dawit, 15, who was stabbed to death in a south London lift five weeks after Southwark police launched an investigation into complaints that she was being stalked and had received death threats.
Thomas Nugusse, 21, of Ilford, Essex, has been charged with her murder.
Facebook 'stabbing' game removed
A Facebook game that lets users 'shank' each other - street slang for stabbing - has been removed following complaints from anti-knife crime campaigners.
Although the application consists of mostly humorous actions, some of the options, such as smack, slap and shank, have darker connotations.
When the knife icon is sent to a Facebook friend they receive a message saying that they have been "shanked".
The application, made by US firm Slide for Facebook users, has now been removed from the social networking website.
Although the application consists of mostly humorous actions, some of the options, such as smack, slap and shank, have darker connotations.
When the knife icon is sent to a Facebook friend they receive a message saying that they have been "shanked".
The application, made by US firm Slide for Facebook users, has now been removed from the social networking website.
Punishment won't get rid of knife crime
The government's response to knife-crime hysteria, the youth crime action plan, is an expensive package of measures, almost exclusively punitive in nature. No surprises there. And let's not be surprised when it all ends in failure. When I've criticised the punitive approach before, people have often said: "OK, but why don't you come up with some solutions?" All right, then. Here are some solutions to the problems of knife crime on our streets. And you will not read the word "punishment" here.
ex-offenders & a few still serving were asked - "if knowing before the offence the length of sentence they would eventually receive would it have deterred them from committing the crime. **All said no. Punishment was not a deterrent.
They were asked to look at their crimes and suggest some causes:
>Early years spent in poverty
>Drug abusing parents
>Exposure to mental, physical or sexual abuse
Other factors include:
>mental health problems
>educational difficulties
>Drug and alcohol use
........and you get a picture of how the Knife-Wielding Hoodies Who Roam Our Streets were formed.
Tackling knife crime means identifiying very young children who are at risk and putting them on an intensive, long-term programme of psychological and social support that will enable them to deal with their own families and the world. Detractors shout that labelling youngsters in this way at such an early age could affect them for life. I say they'll be affected for life if we don't.
And the knife-wielders, that small group of unhappy, dyfunctional youths? We should be ashamed that we turned them out of the house. Any functioning family always involves the kids in its decision-making. It's time to bring them back round the table. What do they want and need? Support, guidance, kindness, jobs, schools that address their needs or some positive role models? Ask them. You will get some surprising and enlightening answers.
When I ask kids about what would help them most, they nearly always say: "Get me out of here." They want to change, but don't know how to.
· Mark Johnson, author of Wasted
ex-offenders & a few still serving were asked - "if knowing before the offence the length of sentence they would eventually receive would it have deterred them from committing the crime. **All said no. Punishment was not a deterrent.
They were asked to look at their crimes and suggest some causes:
>Early years spent in poverty
>Drug abusing parents
>Exposure to mental, physical or sexual abuse
Other factors include:
>mental health problems
>educational difficulties
>Drug and alcohol use
........and you get a picture of how the Knife-Wielding Hoodies Who Roam Our Streets were formed.
Tackling knife crime means identifiying very young children who are at risk and putting them on an intensive, long-term programme of psychological and social support that will enable them to deal with their own families and the world. Detractors shout that labelling youngsters in this way at such an early age could affect them for life. I say they'll be affected for life if we don't.
And the knife-wielders, that small group of unhappy, dyfunctional youths? We should be ashamed that we turned them out of the house. Any functioning family always involves the kids in its decision-making. It's time to bring them back round the table. What do they want and need? Support, guidance, kindness, jobs, schools that address their needs or some positive role models? Ask them. You will get some surprising and enlightening answers.
When I ask kids about what would help them most, they nearly always say: "Get me out of here." They want to change, but don't know how to.
· Mark Johnson, author of Wasted
One in five young men have faced knife threats, survey finds
One in five young men have been threatened with a knife and almost half know someone it has happened to, a survey reveals today.
The poll of 1,000 young people gives a bleak impression of increasing street violence and fear, which has left 78% of those questioned afraid to walk the streets.
After a spate of fatal stabbings, many felt pressured to carry a weapon (15%) and more than a quarter (27%) knew at least one person their age who did so. Many (11%) had been asked to join a gang.
But almost two-thirds of the young people polled said they feel the media misrepresents the issues facing young people.
The poll of 1,000 young people gives a bleak impression of increasing street violence and fear, which has left 78% of those questioned afraid to walk the streets.
After a spate of fatal stabbings, many felt pressured to carry a weapon (15%) and more than a quarter (27%) knew at least one person their age who did so. Many (11%) had been asked to join a gang.
But almost two-thirds of the young people polled said they feel the media misrepresents the issues facing young people.
Police make arrest after 21st London teenage killing of the year
Frederick Moody, an 18-year-old Kingston College student, became the 21st teenager to die in a violent attack this year.
He was found by police with a blade wound to his stomach in Guildford Road, south Lambeth, after officers were called to an assault in progress just after 7pm last night.
He was pronounced dead in hospital at 8.15pm.
Police say up to eight men wearing hooded tops, some with bikes, were involved in the attack. It is rumoured a play water fight in the street may have led to a row that sparked the stabbing.
The 16-year-old suspect was arrested earlier this morning at his home in nearby Brixton.
The funeral of another London teenage stab victim, 16-year-old Ben Kinsella, is taking place today.
He was found by police with a blade wound to his stomach in Guildford Road, south Lambeth, after officers were called to an assault in progress just after 7pm last night.
He was pronounced dead in hospital at 8.15pm.
Police say up to eight men wearing hooded tops, some with bikes, were involved in the attack. It is rumoured a play water fight in the street may have led to a row that sparked the stabbing.
The 16-year-old suspect was arrested earlier this morning at his home in nearby Brixton.
The funeral of another London teenage stab victim, 16-year-old Ben Kinsella, is taking place today.
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