Sentencing by courts too soft, say 70%

MORE than seven out of ten adults think sentences handed down by courts are too lenient.

A poll for the House of Commons justice committee also found one in seven (15 per cent) believed sentences were about right, and 4 per cent said they were too tough, with the rest ‘don’t knows’.

Of the 2,057 adults quizzed, 55 per cent said anyone over 18 convicted of murdering a child should get a ‘whole life’ tariff, meaning they will die in prison.

On rape, 45 per cent said the punishment should be more than 25 years, including 18 per cent who thought the crime should carry a whole life tariff.

Just over half of respondents – 51 per cent – supported the use of community punishments for non-violent offenders.

MPs are due to report on their findings later this year.