Thames Valley Police’s crime commissioner has written to the attorney general to appeal the sentence of a 15-year-old boy who stabbed a fellow teenager in High Wycombe.
Matthew Barber penned the letter on Monday, May 22, to Victoria Prentis KC, after he claimed that the schoolboy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given a ‘unduly lenient sentence’ despite causing ‘life-changing injuries’ to the teen in October 2022.
The youth pleaded guilty to his crimes at South Tyneside Youth Court earlier this month, but was given a one-year community order and the victim was awarded just £500 in compensation.
Sentences like this really worry me.
— Matthew Barber (@matthew_barber) May 16, 2023
Yes the offender was a child, but so was the victim.
He pleaded guilty to the serious offence of wounding with intent. He stabbed someone three times.
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The punishment has caused a huge uproar across south Buckinghamshire due to its leniency, but Barber is hoping that his letter, which is now public, can change the court’s mind and give a harder ruling.
It reads: “This was a shocking attack that has consequences that will be felt for many years.
“Thames Valley Police managed a complex investigation and worked hard to bring the offender to justice.
“As the police and crime commissioner, I have a duty to stand up for victims of crime, and in this case I strongly feel that the boy who was subject to this vicious attack has been let down.
“The decision to request the Attorney General to refer the case to the Court of Appeal is not one that I take lightly.
The police have done all they can in this case. They've identified, arrested and charged the offender. He has been prosecuted, but many will feel that justice has not been done.
— Matthew Barber (@matthew_barber) May 16, 2023
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“Judicial independence is a vital part of our justice system, but the appeal process exists to allow errors to be corrected.
“Over the last year, I have insisted that Thames Valley Police take a tougher approach to dealing with knife crime.
“Through Operation Deter we are seeing more offenders being brought to justice and in many cases, appropriate sentences being handed out by the courts.
“Working with partners through our Violence Reduction Unit real progress has been made and I praise the police for their energy and determination in seeking to tackle the problem.
In the last year or so @thamesvp have made great improvements in dealing with knife possession offences through Operation Deter, but sentences need to match the crime.
— Matthew Barber (@matthew_barber) May 16, 2023
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“Nevertheless, cases such as this not only let down victims in individual cases but risk calling into question the effectiveness of our criminal justice system more widely.”
The Attorney General has until Thursday, June 8 to decide whether to refer the case to the Court of Appeal.
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