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Difference between prison sentences?????

RDM_83 · 2008-06-12 10:32:23

Ok I've been wondering this for a while now but what I'm asking is how are the lengths of prison terms are decided, now I presume that the judge sets it completely independently but does he look at previous cases and how is proportionality worked out? Giving two cases as examples…

12-06-2008 11:32am

#1

RDM_83

Closed Accounts Posts: 213 ✭✭

Join Date: February 2005

Posts: 191

Ok I've been wondering this for a while now but what I'm asking is how are the lengths of prison terms are decided, now I presume that the judge sets it completely independently but does he look at previous cases and how is proportionality worked out?
Giving two cases as examples

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/jailed-for--an-illicit-kiss-with--girl-14-1404950.html

In this case as far as I can see there was one count of sexual assualt on a forteen year old.
A 18 month sentence was imposed
In the article it states "The DPP had indicated that this case was considered to be at the lower end of the scale for sentence"

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/man-who-tied-up-girl-8-during-sex-assault-gets-nine-months-1406195.html

In this case the defendant pleaded guilty to 12 counts of sexual assualt over a 3 year period on an 8 year old.
A 9 month sentence with the final three months suspended.

My question is why was the second sentence so short? the assault seems more serious (tied up naked vs "illict kiss"), there was 1 count vs 12 commited over a number of years, and finally the second victim was at a more vunerable age (8 vs 14)

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