---

13 Feb 2006 : Column 1731W—continued

Non-violent Offences

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what use is made of custodial remand for those charged with non-violent offences; and if he will make a statement. [49864]

Fiona Mactaggart: The decision on whether to grant bail or remand a defendant in custody is one for the courts to make, in each case, in line with the statutory framework primarily set out in the Bail Act 1976.

The court may withhold bail if it is satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that, if released on bail, the defendant would abscond, commit an offence, interfere with witnesses or otherwise obstruct the course of justice. The nature and seriousness of the alleged offence forms only part of the consideration of the court when making the decision whether to grant bail or remand in custody.

The court will also consider the weight of the evidence against the defendant, the defendant's character, antecedents, associations, community ties and past record of complying with bail, as well as any other factors which appear relevant.

Offences Against the Person Act

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people have been convicted under Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 in each year since 1997; what their average sentence was in each year; and how many in each year were given a home detention curfew; [48875]

(2) how many people have been convicted of an offence under Section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 in each year since 1997; what their average sentence was; and how many in each year were given a home detention curfew. [48876]

 
13 Feb 2006 : Column 1732W
 

Fiona Mactaggart: The information requested is shown in the tables.
Persons found guilty of grievous bodily harm under sections 18⁽⁴⁴⁾ and 20⁽⁴⁵⁾ of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, England and Wales

	Sec 18 (GBH with intent)		Sec 20 (GBH)
	Number of persons found guilty	Average custodial sentence length (months)	Number of persons found guilty	Average custodial sentence length (months)
1997	1,544	44.1	4,582	15.3
1998	1,464	43.9	4,933	15.1
1999	1,402	45.8	4,605	15.5
2000	1,357	45.0	4,443	15.6
2001	1,413	48.0	4,390	16.1
2002	1,527	46.5	4,629	17.0
2003	1,497	50.3	4,500	17.7
2004	1,698	48.6	4,373	17.7

⁽⁴⁴⁾ Wounding etc. with intent to do grievous bodily harm etc. or to resist apprehension.
⁽⁴⁵⁾ Wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm (inflicting grievous bodily injury with or without weapon).
Source:
RDS-NOMS 6 February 2006.

Number of prisoners serving sentences under sections 18 and 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 who were released on HOC between 1999–2005⁽⁴⁶⁾

	Grievous bodily harm (section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861)	Grievous Bodily Harm, (intent) (section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861)
1999	1,147	41
2000	1,220	38
2001	1,203	16
2002	1,485	25
2003	1,568	23
2004	1,321	15
2005	1,313	14

⁽⁴⁶⁾ Data as recorded on the Prison Service Inmate Information System.
Source:
RDS-NOMS 06/02/2006

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people convicted under Section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 appealed against their sentences in each year since 1997; how many of them had their sentence reduced; and by what amount in each case. [48877]

Ms Harman: I have been asked to reply.

The following table shows the position at 2 February 2006.

Year received	Approximate number of applications received	Approximate number where sentence reduced(47)	Number still awaiting resolution
1997	130	18	—
1998	120	31	—
1999	126	19	—
2000	101	23	—
2001	103	26	—
2002	98	15	—
2003	102	17	—
2004	152	35	1
2005	118	16	27
Grand total	1,050	201	28

⁽⁴⁷⁾ Includes all appeals where there was a reduction to any aspect of the sentence.


 
13 Feb 2006 : Column 1733W
 

The amount by which the above sentences were reduced is shown in the following table. The table does not identify those cases where the change was to an aspect of sentence other than imprisonment or where the tariff was reduced on a life sentence. Also, whilst all the cases involved a charge under s20, the change to sentence may not have related to that charge.

	Trial sentence			Sentence after appeal
Year received	Years	Months	Days	Years	Months	Days
1997	6	0	0	4	6	0
1997	9	0	0	7	6	0
1997	7	0	0	5	0	0
1997	7	0	0	5	6	0
1997	6	0	0	4	0	0
1977	11	0	0	8	0	0
1997	6	0	0	5	0	0
1997	8	0	0	6	0	0
1997	5	0	0	3	6	0
1997	3	9	0	3	0	0
1997	6	0	0	4	0	0
1997	6	0	0	4	0	0
1997	4	6	0	3	6	0
1977	4	0	0	2	6	0
1997	7	0	0	5	0	0
1997	12	0	0	8	0	0
1997	8	0	0	6	6	0
1997	4	0	0	3	0	0
1998	6	0	0	4	0	0
1998	20	0	0	12	0	0
1998	15	0	0	12	0	0
1998	5	0	0	4	0	0
1998	7	0	0	6	6	0
1998	7	0	0	6	6	0
1998	21	0	0	18	0	0
1998	6	0	0	4	0	0
1998	16	0	0	13	10	0
1998	0	6	0	0	0	42
1998	8	0	0	5	0	0
1998	7	0	0	3	0	0
1998	7	0	0	5	0	0
1998	4	0	0	3	0	0
1998	5	0	0	3	6	0
1998	10	0	0	8	0	0
1998	11	0	0	9	0	0
1998	5	0	0	4	0	0
1998	14	3	0	12	0	0
1998	5	6	0	3	0	0
1998	4	0	0	3	6	0
1998	6	0	0	5	0	0
1998	5	0	0	2	6	0
1998	3	6	0	0	12	0
1998	8	0	0	7	0	0
1998	5	0	0	5	0	0
1998	3	0	0	3	0	0
1998	5	0	0	5	0	0
1998	8	0	0	6	0	0
1998	2	6	0	2	0	0
1998	5	0	0	4	0	0
1999	10	0	0	8	0	0
1999	2	0	0	0	18	0
1999	6	0	0	5	0	0
1999	12	0	0	10	0	0
1999	5	0	0	3	9	0
1999	5	0	0	3	6	0
1999	7	0	0	5	6	0
1999	5	0	0	0	3	0
1999	7	0	0	6	0	0
1999	6	0	0	3	6	0
1999	6	0	0	5	0	0
1999	9	0	0	7	0	0
1999	4	0	0	3	0	0
1999	12	0	0	10	0	0
1999	6	0	0	4	0	0
1999	5	0	0	4	0	0
1999	Life	0	0	4	0	0
1999	12	0	0	10	0	0
1999	4	9	0	3	9	0
2000	0	18	0	0	6	0
2000	7	0	0	5	0	0
2000	4	0	0	3	0	0
2000	4	0	0	3	0	0
2000	0	0	0	0	0	0
2000	8	0	0	6	0	0
2000	4	0	0	3	0	0
2000	2	0	0	0	18	0
2000	0	0	0	0	0	0
2000	8	0	0	6	0	0
2000	13	0	0	10	0	0
2000	0	20	0	0	12	0
2000	4	0	0	3	0	0
2000	0	0	0	3	0	0
2000	2	0	0	0	18	0
2000	9	0	0	6	0	0
2000	11	0	0	9	0	0
2000	6	0	0	5	0	0
2000	10	0	0	8	0	0
2000	10	0	0	8	0	0
2000	10	0	0	8	0	0
2000	10	0	0	8	0	0
2000	5	6	0	3	0	0
2001	24	0	0	3	0	0
2001	2	0	0	0	18	0
2001	10	0	0	8	0	0
2001	5	0	0	4	0	0
2001	8	0	0	7	0	0
2001	7	0	0	6	0	0
2001	7	0	0	6	0	0
2001	12	0	0	10	0	0
2001	0	0	0	0	0	0
2001	7	0	0	6	0	0
2001	3	6	0	3	0	0
2001	7	0	0	5	0	0
2001	3	0	0	2	0	0
2001	3	6	0	2	6	0
2001	6	0	0	4	0	0
2001	7	0	0	3	2	0
2001	9	0	0	7	0	0
2001	7	0	0	4	6	0
2001	6	0	0	4	0	0
2001	3	0	0	0	12	0
2001	0	0	0	0	0	0
2001	8	0	0	5	0	0
2001	13	6	0	11	6	0
2001	0	0	0	0	0	0
2001	4	6	0	3	6	0
2001	1	3	0	0	9	0
2002	4	0	0	3	0	0
2002	0	0	0	0	0	0
2002	4	0	0	3	0	0
2002	12	0	0	10	0	0
2002	4	0	0	3	0	0
2002	8	0	0	6	0	0
2002	3	0	0	0	18	0
2002	9	0	0	9	0	0
2002	0	27	0	0	21	0
2002	Life	0	0	6	0	0
2002	10	0	0	7	0	0
2002	7	0	0	5	0	0
2002	23	0	0	20	0	0
2002	4	0	0	2	0	0
2002	7	0	0	5	0	0
2003	7	0	0	5	0	0
2003	2	0	0	0	0	0
2003	7	0	0	5	0	0
2003	15	0	0	12	0	0
2003	7	0	0	5	0	0
2003	15	0	0	12	0	0
2003	10	0	0	7	0	0
2003	6	0	0	4	0	0
2003	10	0	0	8	0	0
2003	3	9	0	3	0	0
2003	11	0	0	6	0	0
2003	7	0	0	5	0	0
2003	12	0	0	10	0	0
2003	5	6	0	5	6	0
2003	9	0	0	6	0	0
2003	6	6	0	5	6	0
2003	9	0	0	7	0	0
2004	4	0	0	3	0	0
2004	3	11	0	3	6	0
2004	4	0	0	4	0	0
2004	0	0	0	0	0	0
2004	10	0	0	7	0	0
2004	9	0	0	7	6	0
2004	5	0	0	3	0	0
2004	10	0	0	7	6	0
2004	8	0	0	5	6	0
2004	3	0	0	3	0	0
2004	10	0	0	7	6	0
2004	8	0	0	7	0	0
2004	9	0	0	8	0	0
2004	4	0	0	3	0	0
2004	4	0	0	3	0	0
2004	0	0	0	0	0	0
2004	6	0	0	5	0	0
2004	9	0	0	8	0	0
2004	12	0	0	7	0	0
2004	7	0	0	6	0	0
2004	3	0	0	2	0	0
2004	6	0	0	5	0	0
2004	7	0	0	6	0	0
2004	6	0	0	5	0	0
2004	6	0	0	6	0	0
2004	3	6	0	3	6	0
2004	6	0	0	6	0	0
2004	5	0	0	4	0	0
2004	8	0	0	7	0	0
2004	3	6	0	3	0	0
2004	10	0	0	7	0	0
2004	5	0	0	3	6	0
2004	12	0	0	8	0	0
2004	5	0	0	5	0	0
2004	13	0	0	11	0	0
2005	4	0	0	3	0	0
2005	Life—5	0	0	Life—4	0	0
2005	0	0	0	0	0	0
2005	8	0	0	6	0	0
2005	7	0	0	5	0	0
2005	5	0	0	4	0	0
2005	3	6	0	3	3	0
2005	6	0	0	5	6	0
2005	9	0	0	7	0	0
2005	8	0	0	5	0	0
2005	5	0	0	4	0	0
2005	0	18	0	0	12	0
2005	5	0	0	4	0	0
2005	11	0	0	9	0	0
2005	3	0	0	0	27	0
2005	9	0	0	7	0	0

 
13 Feb 2006 : Column 1735W
 

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people convicted under Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861
 
13 Feb 2006 : Column 1736W
 
appealed against their sentence in each year since 1997; how many of them had their sentence reduced; and by what amount in each case. [48878]

Ms Harman: I have been asked to reply.

The following table shows the position at 2 February 2006.

Year received	Approximate number of applications received(48)	Approximate number where sentence reduced(48)	Number still awaiting resolution
1997	119	21	—
1998	111	27	—
1999	102	30	—
2000	101	21	—
2001	86	12	—
2002	96	30	—
2003	80	17	—
2004	111	23	—
2005	85	20	10
Grand Total	891	201	10

⁽⁴⁸⁾ Includes all appeals where there was a reduction to any aspect of the sentence.

The amount by which the previous sentences were reduced is shown in the following table. The table does not identify those cases where the change was to an aspect of sentence other than imprisonment or where the tariff was reduced on a life sentence. Also, while all the cases involved a charge under s20, the change to sentence may not have related to that charge.

	Trial sentence			Sentence after appeal
Year received	Years	Months	Days	Years	Months	Days
1997	4	0	0	2	6	0
1997	3	0	0	2	0	0
1997	8	0	0	5	0	0
1997	0	20	0	0	12	0
1997	5	0	0	4	6	0
1997	1	8	0	0	12	0
1997	8	6	0	6	6	0
1997	5	0	0	4	5	0
1997	2	0	0	0	21	0
1997	3	6	0	3	0	0
1997	3	0	0	2	0	0
1997	6	0	0	5	0	0
1997	0	21	0	0	18	0
1997	2	0	0	1	6	0
1997	1	9	0	1	0	0
1997	0	21	0	0	15	0
1997	0	20	0	0	12	0
1997	3	6	0	0	0	0
1997	3	6	0	2	6	0
1997	1	0	0	0	0	0
1997	6	0	0	0	4	0
1998	2	3	0	2	2	0
1998	5	0	0	3	0	0
1998	2	0	0	0	0	0
1998	0	21	0	0	15	0
1998	2	6	0	0	18	0
1998	2	0	0	0	18	0
1998	3	6	0	2	6	0
1998	4	0	0	0	30	0
1998	0	30	0	0	12	0
1998	0	9	0	0	6	0
1998	0	6	0	0	6	0
1998	1	0	0	0	6	0
1998	0	9	0	0	9	0
1998	2	0	0	0	9	0
1998	0	15	0	0	9	0
1998	4	0	0	2	0	0
1998	1	3	0	0	0	0
1998	1	0	0	0	3	0
1998	2	0	0	0	18	0
1998	3	6	0	3	3	0
1998	1	6	0	0	12	0
1998	4	0	0	3	0	0
1998	0	18	0	0	9	0
1998	3	0	0	2	0	0
1998	3	0	0	2	0	0
1998	3	0	0	2	6	0
1998	1	6	0	0	12	0
1999	0	18	0	0	18	0
1999	0	12	0	0	6	0
1999	0	18	0	0	6	0
1999	2	6	0	2	0	0
1999	6	0	0	5	0	0
1999	5	0	0	4	0	0
1999	0	15	0	0	9	0
1999	2	0	0	0	18	0
1999	0	16	0	0	9	0
1999	4	0	0	3	0	0
1999	0	16	0	0	9	0
1999	4	0	0	3	0	0
1999	0	9	0	0	6	0
1999	0	15	0	0	12	0
1999	2	6	0	1	9	0
1999	0	12	0	0	6	0
1999	0	12	0	0	0	0
1999	0	18	0	0	12	0
1999	0	8	0	0	3	0
1999	4	0	0	2	0	0
1999	1	6	0	0	12	0
1999	3	0	0	2	0	0
1999	0	12	0	0	6	0
1999	0	27	0	0	18	0
1999	3	0	0	0	18	0
1999	4	0	0	4	0	0
1999	3	0	0	2	0	0
1999	0	15	0	0	3	0
1999	3	0	0	0	12	0
1999	4	0	0	3	0	0
2000	3	0	0	2	0	0
2000	0	18	0	0	12	0
2000	3	0	0	2	0	0
2000	2	0	0	0	14	0
2000	0	30	0	2	0	0
2000	3	0	0	2	0	0
2000	5	0	0	3	6	0
2000	2	0	0	1	3	0
2000	3	0	0	2	0	0
2000	5	0	0	4	0	0
2000	0	18	0	0	12	0
2000	5	0	0	4	0	0
2000	4	0	0	2	6	0
2000	2	0	0	0	18	0
2000	6	0	0	4	6	0
2000	3	0	0	2	0	0
2000	0	12	0	0	3	0
2000	0	18	0	0	12	0
2000	3	6	0	2	0	0
2000	3	6	0	2	0	0
2000	0	30	0	0	24	0
2001	4	1	0	2	6	0
2001	2	6	0	2	0	0
2001	0	12	0	0	6	0
2001	4	0	0	3	0	0
2001	4	6	0	2	6	0
2001	2	0	0	0	12	0
2001	0	12	0	0	6	0
2001	2	6	0	0	18	0
2001	3	0	0	0	18	0
2001	8	0	0	4	0	0
2001	0	15	0	0	9	0
2001	1	9	0	0	15	0
2002	4	6	0	0	21	0
2002	2	6	0	0	21	0
2002	0	0	0	0	0	0
2002	3	0	0	2	6	0
2002	0	12	0	0	8	0
2002	2	0	0	0	15	0
2002	0	12	0	0	8	0
2002	0	12	0	0	9	0
2002	3	8	0	0	18	0
2002	0	9	0	0	0	0
2002	2	0	0	0	14	0
2002	3	0	0	2	0	0
2002	4	6	0	3	6	0
2002	3	0	0	1	6	0
2002	2	6	0	2	0	0
2002	0	30	0	0	18	0
2002	0	18	0	0	6	0
2002	1	6	0	0	12	0
2002	3	6	0	2	0	0
2002	4	6	0	3	0	0
2002	0	21	0	0	15	0
2002	0	18	0	0	0	0
2002	2	6	0	0	12	0
2002	3	0	0	0	15	0
2002	0	15	0	0	9	0
2002	4	0	0	3	0	0
2002	0	15	0	0	9	0
2002	0	18	0	0	0	0
2002	2	0	0	0	0	0
2002	5	0	0	4	3	0
2003	1	0	0	0	4	0
2003	2	6	0	0	18	0
2003	3	6	0	2	6	0
2003	4	0	0	3	0	0
2003	2	3	0	0	12	0
2003	3	9	0	2	9	0
2003	3	0	0	0	18	0
2003	0	20	0	0	0	0
2003	0	12	0	0	6	0
2003	3	0	0	0	10	0
2003	0	30	0	0	15	0
2003	0	4	0	0	0	28
2003	3	0	0	3	0	0
2003	0	18	0	0	9	0
2003	0	18	0	0	10	0
2003	2	0	0	1	0	0
2003	3	0	0	2	0	0
2004	5	0	0	3	6	0
2004	4	6	0	3	0	0
2004	0	18	0	0	9	0
2004	0	18	0	0	10	0
2004	4	0	0	3	0	0
2004	3	6	0	2	6	0
2004	3	0	0	0	27	0
2004	6	3	0	4	3	0
2004	3	0	0	0	18	0
2004	3	0	0	2	0	0
2004	0	21	0	0	12	0
2004	3	9	0	2	0	0
2004	0	27	0	0	18	0
2004	5	0	0	3	6	0
2004	3	4	0	2	10	0
2004	0	18	0	0	9	0
2004	4	0	0	4	0	0
2004	2	0	0	0	15	0
2004	0	9	0	0	5	0
2004	0	0	0	0	0	0
2004	4	0	0	3	0	0
2004	0	0	0	0	0	0
2004	0	0	0	0	0	0
2005	2	0	0	0	18	0
2005	4	0	0	3	6	0
2005	0	18	0	0	12	0
2005	4	0	0	3	10	0
2005	0	33	0	2	0	0
2005	0	27	0	0	18	0
2005	1	11	0	0	18	0
2005	3	0	0	0	21	0
2005	0	15	0	0	6	0
2005	2	0	0	1	8	0
2005	3	6	0	2	6	0
2005	3	6	0	2	0	0
2005	4	0	0	3	3	0
2005	6	0	0	3	4	0
2005	0	8	0	0	0	0
2005	3	0	0	2	6	0
2005	3	0	0	2	0	0
2005	3	6	0	3	0	0
2005	3	0	0	2	0	0
2005	2	6	0	0	18	0

 
13 Feb 2006 : Column 1739W
 

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those convicted under section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 since 1997 have reoffended within a year. [48879]

Fiona Mactaggart: The most recent reoffending data for adults were published in 'Reoffending of adults: results from the 2002 cohort' which is available through the Home Office's website (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index.htm).

The report shows the two-year reoffending rates of those offenders who start community penalties or who are discharged from prison in the first quarter of 2002. Further analysis of the 2000 data shows that 27 per cent. of offenders sentenced under section 18 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 reoffended within one year and were subsequently convicted. The corresponding figure for 2002 is 24 per cent. Reoffending data broken down by legislative act is not readily available for other years.

---