Govt announces new sentence for hate crime

Persons who murder disabled or transgender people in hate crime will face life sentences, justice secretary Kenneth Clarke announced.

Amendments to the Criminal Justice Act 2003 will create a starting point of 30 years in prison for those who commit murders motivated by hate of disabled or transgender individuals - double the current starting point.

The revisions will bring sentences for disabled and transgender murder into line with other hate-motivated crime.

Mr Clarke stated: "Hate crimes are abhorrent, they leave sections of society living in fear and at risk of unprovoked violence.

"The courts already treat all hate crime seriously and aggravate sentences accordingly."

According to Mr Clarke, the new proposals should drive home to potential criminals the severity of the crime and may act as a deterrent.

Hate crime is unfortunately still prevalent across the UK.

Recently a man and a woman in Bury were attacked on a tram by thugs who ridiculed them because of their choice of clothing.

Published by Phil Hammond