Public anger is rising that victims of “heinous crimes” are denied justice because criminals receive lenient sentences, the Government has been warned. A crusading MP who has secured a review which could lead to a longer sentence for a child abusing teaching assistant called for “far harsher sentences” to keep “paedophiles, rapists and murderers” off Britain’s streets. Meanwhile, the parents of a four-year-old girl who died after being hit by a stolen car are campaigning for families to have more time to appeal against “unduly lenient sentences”.
Conservative MP Saqib Bhatti requested a review of the seven years and six months sentence given to Daniel Clarke, who admitted sexual offences against six vulnerable children. Clarke had worked as a teaching assistant at a school in Solihull and as a personal assistant to several children.
Solicitor General Lucy Rigby has now referred the case to the Court of Appeal. She said she shared Mr Bhatti’s concerns the sentence was “unduly lenient”.
Mr Bhatti said there was widespread concern that offenders are not getting the sentences they deserve.
He said: “The public rightly expect vile sex offenders feel the full force of the law. Increasingly, I hear from the British public who are concerned that the victims of the most heinous crimes are not receiving justice.
“Those that commit the most egregious crimes must face the full force of the law. Robust and thorough sentencing is not only a necessary punishment for those that have committed a crime, but it is also an essential deterrent against those who are seeking to do so.
“Prison undoubtedly works. Paedophiles, rapists, and murderers must be given far harsher sentences to keep them off the streets, away from the vast majority of law-abiding citizens and critically pay for their crimes.”
Becky and Glenn Youens – whose daughter was fatally hit by a stolen car driven at 83mph in March 2017 – helped launch the Justice for Victims campaign. Driver Aidan McAteer was sentenced to nine years and four months but was released on licence in December 2021.
The couple told the Sunday Express: “The public are sick and tired and hearing that some of the most dangerous criminals didn’t get the punishment they deserve, or got let out early. No amount of time in prison will bring back our daughter Violet, but knowing her killer Aidan McAteer served only marginally more time in prison than she was alive only adds insult to injury for our grieving family.
“That’s why Justice for Victims are calling for sentences to truly reflect the serious nature of the crime, and for victims and their families to be given more time to appeal unduly lenient sentences when they occur.”
Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin MP also pushed for tougher sentencing, saying: “Lenient sentencing in cases of serious offences, particularly those involving harm to children, sends entirely the wrong message. It undermines public trust in the justice system and deepens the trauma for survivors and their families, who rightly expect meaningful accountability.
“Reform UK believes justice must reflect the severity of the crime. Too often, victims feel let down while perpetrators walk free after serving only a fraction of their sentence.
“We are calling for more robust sentencing and a stronger justice system that consistently puts the rights of victims first.”
The Ministry of Justice and the Sentencing Council were invited to comment.