Gwent | Archive | 2001 | August | 7
From the South Wales Argus, first published Tuesday 7th Aug 2001.
COMMIT a crime in Newport and there's more than a fair chance that the local magistrates will throw the book at you.
The town's justices say they treat every case on its merits and are not especially tough. Despite this, their `hard' image is confirmed by Home Office figures, which show that only two other areas in England and Wales are tougher.
Just 10.3% of people in Newport get off with a conditional or absolute discharge. Only an area in east London and one in West Yorkshire discharge fewer defendants The figures were welcomed by Gwent Victim Support, the group which offers help, comfort and advice to crime victims.
Director Frank Smith said: "Victims of crime generally feel the penalty should fit the crime and if figures show that magistrates are making a very firm response to crime then we would support it."
However, the figures reveal that there are different penalties for the same crime in different parts of the UK.
Newport magistrates accept that there are differences, but Olive Gibby, chairman of South-East Gwent magistrates, which includes Newport, said: "Sentencing is always according to each case. Each is looked at individually and we try hard to sentence fairly. "I wouldn't say we were tougher on crime than any other area and there is certainly no policy on sentencing particular crime."
Law expert Michael Eade said he would not expect to find the same crime dealt with in the same way. "Magistrates do have a right, some would say a responsibility, to deal harshly with offenders if a particular crime was causing a lot of concern in an area."
© Newsquest Media Group 2008