Knife Murder Jail Terms Increases

The minimum sentence for murder using a knife could be increased after the family of Ben Kinsella called for an overhaul of the "complacent" rules.The minimum sentence for murder using a knife could be increased after the family of Ben Kinsella called for an overhaul of the "complacent" rules.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw has announced a review of the 15-year jail term, half the minimum sentence for murder with a gun.

Mr Straw told MPs: "There has been concern about the starting point for the minimum term for murder involving the use of a firearm.

"It is 30 years, compared with the 15 years for murder with the use of a knife.

"I intend to review this with a view to deciding whether or not to amend this.

"I will, of course, be consulting the judiciary and Sentencing Guidelines Council and will be happy to receive wider representations, including from honourable members on all sides of the House."

Juress Kika, 19, Michael Alleyne, 18, and Jade Braithwaite, 20, were each jailed for life with a minimum term of 19 years last week after being found guilty of Ben's murder at the Old Bailey.

His parents, Deborah and George Kinsella, and their daughter Brooke, the former EastEnders actress, attacked the guidelines.

"To us both are lethal weapons so I don't see the difference," said Mrs Kinsella.


"We have got to stop being so complacent, in a nutshell the sentencing isn't long enough, they don't see it as any deterrent."

Shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve described the review as a "public relations exercise".

"The Government cannot expect to be taken seriously when it is releasing thousands of violent offenders from prison early, because of chronic overcrowding," he said.