Crack down on ‘lenient’ sentences for Anjem Choudary-style Islamist hate preachers
HATE preachers such as warped Anjem Choudary could no longer get away with "soft" jail sentences as the Government tries to slam shut a legal loophole.
The Government is looking to stamp out loopholes that allow 'lenient' hate speech sentences
Ministers are aiming to broaden the unduly lenient sentence scheme – whereby members of the public can demand a judge review a sentencing.
But currently the scheme covers only violent crime and sexual offences.
Twisted Anjem Choudary (left) was sentenced to five-and-a-half years for inviting support for ISIS
This means extremists like Choudary, who was given five-and-a-half-years for drumming up support for Islamic State, cannot be challenged.
Choudary’s sentencing sparked fury as the 49-year-old could be released after a mere 33 months under good behaviour rules, despite being found guilty of pledging allegiance to ISIS.
Security expert at Buckingham University, Professor Anthony Glees, said: “It is far too lenient, mocks justice and will horrify the families of those whose loved ones followed his call to fight for ISIS.
“This is a highly dangerous, sinister and wicked person from whom we have a right to be protected for a very long time. Once again an English court has delivered a soft verdict which is no deterrent.
“He'll be out in two-and-half years and there's no reason to believe prison can reform him or make him see how appalling his recruitment of young Brits had been.”