post #1
12 December 2007, 09:15 UTC#1
QUOTE
TEENAGE criminals will soon be able to escape a court appearance – just by saying sorry.
Children’s minister Beverley Hughes faced fury last night over plans to cut the number of young thugs in court.
Under her “restorative justice” scheme, teen tearaways could escape prosecution by apologising to their victim.
The scheme — part of Labour’s children’s plan — will target youngsters aged ten to 17.
It will give first-time offenders who commit a “minor” crime the chance to explain their actions and say sorry to their victim. Ministers claim court can be “inappropriate” for young offenders.
Ms Hughes said: “Restor-ative justice approach-es are an important and powerful way to divert young people from damaging behaviour.”
She said a scheme in Tyneside cut youth re-offending by 43 per cent.
But the Conservatives accused ministers of letting young thugs off with a slap on the wrist.
Shadow children’s secretary Michael Gove said: “We have a serious problem with rising violence in schools and on the streets.
“The last thing we should be doing is making it easier for young criminals to get away with the harm they do to others.
“We need tough rules on discipline in school and tougher action on street violence. But the Government is going in the wrong direction.”
Children’s minister Beverley Hughes faced fury last night over plans to cut the number of young thugs in court.
Under her “restorative justice” scheme, teen tearaways could escape prosecution by apologising to their victim.
The scheme — part of Labour’s children’s plan — will target youngsters aged ten to 17.
It will give first-time offenders who commit a “minor” crime the chance to explain their actions and say sorry to their victim. Ministers claim court can be “inappropriate” for young offenders.
Ms Hughes said: “Restor-ative justice approach-es are an important and powerful way to divert young people from damaging behaviour.”
She said a scheme in Tyneside cut youth re-offending by 43 per cent.
But the Conservatives accused ministers of letting young thugs off with a slap on the wrist.
Shadow children’s secretary Michael Gove said: “We have a serious problem with rising violence in schools and on the streets.
“The last thing we should be doing is making it easier for young criminals to get away with the harm they do to others.
“We need tough rules on discipline in school and tougher action on street violence. But the Government is going in the wrong direction.”
