Under proposals announced by Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke yesterday (26 October), a mandatory four-month detention and training order for aggravated knife possession for 16- and 17-year-olds will be introduced.
However, magistrates and youth justice campaigners have raised concerns over the plan which, according to Ministry of Justice statistics, could impact on up to 400 children a year.
John Fassenfelt, deputy chair of the Magistrate’s Association, said: "[A mandatory sentence] removes from magistrates and judges the discretion we feel is always needed with youngsters because of the fact they are younger and the issue of maturity has to be considered. Every case is different, and more so with youngsters than adults."
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