Tories: Deny bail to murderers
There should be a strong presumption against granting murderers bail, the Conservatives have said.
As part of a general tightening up of bail rules, the party wants a new offence of bail breach to carry a potential prison sentence and for serious offenders with previous convictions for violent crimes to usually be denied bail altogether.
Shadow justice secretary Nick Herbert said many of those who fail to answer their bail currently only receive a £60 fine, similar to that for not paying the congestion charge.
Justice secretary Jack Straw has already announced a review of bail laws after a string of high-profile cases in which men released on bail re-offended.
“The current system is not working – bail is too easily granted, frequently breached and improperly enforced,” Mr Herbert said.
“Public confidence is undermined when bail conditions are routinely breached, offenders hold the criminal justice system in contempt, and new victims of crime are created unnecessarily.”
“It is time to tighten the bail laws and put public safety first.”
