Half Of Child Sex Offenders Avoiding Jail

More than half of convicted child sex offenders are avoiding prison sentences, exposing a justice system which is an "insult to victims".

New figures show 65,000 serious criminals walked free from court, with half of convicted sex attackers, violent criminals and burglars allowed back on the streets.

The Government figures for 2012, revealed by a parliamentary question, show that 53% (107) of paedophiles who abused children younger than 13 were not jailed for their crimes.

In addition, 49% (2,324) of those convicted of sexual assault in 2012 did not receive a prison sentence, while 11,000 burglars and 5,000 robbers avoided jail.

Sadiq Khan says the justice system is failing victims

Shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan told Sky News: "Victims and witnesses will be shocked that when they do the right thing, when victims report crimes, when witnesses come forward and give evidence, for the most serious offences - we are talking about rape, serious sexual assaults, serious violent offences, burglary of residential properties - people who should be being sent to prison to be punished, removed so others can be deterred and our communities kept safe, aren't being. So this Government needs to urgently explain why that is."

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling responded telling Sky News: "Since 2010 you are 10% more likely to go to jail if you commit an offence that falls under these umbrellas. You are more likely to go to jail for longer.

"What I have done in the 15 months since I have been justice secretary is I have also introduced mandatory punishment in every community service when, extraordinarily, under Labour there was not a mandatory punishment in every community sentence."

The latest figures will do little to improve public faith in the criminal justice system. It follows revelations in November that police officers are routinely massaging crime figures to make their performance look better.

There have been significant concerns over the convictions of sex offenders. Last year, official figures showed that of the 95,000 rapes reported annually, only 1,070 victims saw their attacker brought to justice.

Former DPP Keir Starmer says the justice system is 'not fit for purpose'

David Cameron's official spokesman said: "The Prime Minister's view is that this is a Government that has taken and is taking steps to toughen sentences.

"My understanding is that these figures relate to a sentencing framework agreed for 2010. This Government introduced automatic life sentences for a second serious sexual or violent offence and has announced plans to end automatic early release for dangerous offenders."

Keir Starmer, who stepped down as Director of Public Prosecutions in November, says the justice system failed victims of crime.

He told BBC Hardtalk: "The conclusion I reached after five years as DPP is that the more vulnerable you are as a victim the less able the criminal justice system is to protect you.

"Nobody thought about the rights of victims until very recently and I'm talking about the last 20 years. Since then we've had a number of bolt-ons for victims, but from a victim perspective I concluded the system is not fit for purpose for victims."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602 and Freeview channel 82.

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