The stats on armed robberies in Qld

What people on the street are saying. Here is a response sent to me that was sent to various media outlets but not printed. You be the judge!!

RE: Mandatory minimum sentencing.

Over the past year or so, many commentators  have been calling for the Government to introduce mandatory minimum sentences for a number of crimes. The standard answer given by Government is that they have already raised the maximum sentences for a range of crimes and that is enough. If you consider the following facts, collected from a variety of sources, including the Sunday Mail (19^th June), you will see for yourselves their strategy is simply not working.

These are the facts. In the past three years 1449 defendants have been to court for robbery and armed robbery. Not one was given the maximum penalty.

Of the 143 people who have been to court in 2010-11, only one has been sentenced to more than five years.

Of the 273 violent armed robbers who could have faced life in prison, only six got a term of more than five years.

The Attorney-General, Paul Lucas said that one offence of armed robbery was generally punishable by a maximum sentence of 14 years under the Criminal Code. What is the use of a maximum sentence when it is never invoked? This is not what ordinary everyday citizens want.

This appears to be another example of us ( the people), being told not to worry because “ they” know what is best. Does anyone in this Government every get out of their Ivory Tower and actually listen to the people? What has happened to the Labor Party that used to be the one who championed the rights of the ordinary citizens?

Peter Beatts