Clegg Vows To Block Tory Knife Crime Plan

By Sophy Ridge, Political Correspondent

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has publicly vetoed a Conservative plan to automatically jail anyone caught in possession of a knife for a second time.

The Deputy Prime Minister insists he will not allow the Government to support "headline-grabbing solutions" in the aftermath of the killing of Leeds schoolteacher Ann Maguire.

He said the scheme was a "step backwards" and could "undermine the role of judges", who, he said, should be given the flexibility to assess each case on its merits.

Writing in the Guardian, Mr Clegg said such a policy would risk turning young people into hardened criminals.

It comes after Conservative Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said offenders caught twice with a knife should automatically receive a six-month prison sentence.

The stabbing of teacher Ann Maguire has put knife crime in the headlines

He wants the mandatory sentences included in an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill next week.

Mr Clegg wrote in the Guardian: "When someone is caught carrying a knife, we need to do something about it. But six months in prison is not always the right answer.

"Imagine a vulnerable young girl hanging around with members of a gang. She could be forced into carrying a knife by another gang member - it happens a lot.

"When stopped by the police, she doesn't mention that she was forced to carry the knife, fearing retribution from the gang.

"Putting someone like that into prison could push them into the arms of hardened criminals, and let the gang leaders off the hook. Instead of prison, we need to divert vulnerable young people away from gang culture."

Nick Clegg says the plan could 'let gang leaders off the hook'

He said decisions on sentencing should be left to judges.

"This is why I believe this proposed law would be a step backwards," he writes.

"It would undermine the Government's progress in establishing a rehabilitation revolution and reducing crime. We need to treat knife crime very seriously by letting judges choose the sentence to fit the crime.

"Turning the young offenders of today into the hardened criminals of tomorrow is not the answer."

England and Wales' most senior judge, Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, has also called for an urgent review of sentencing for youths carrying knives, saying it was a "major problem" among 12 to 14-year-olds.

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