The data: Sentence reductions under Socpa
All the data. (Image: Shutterstock.com)
In an investigation by the Bureau for BBC Panorama, and published in the Independent we revealed that under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Socpa), serious criminals are having prison time cut, some by more than 90%, in return for turning informant.
Some members of the legal profession have raised grave concerns about the unprecedented levels of sentence reduction, and over the credibility of information given by individuals acting to cut their time in prison.
The Bureau independently identified and analysed 47 cases in which jail terms were cut under Socpa, in addition we found two cases were total immunity was granted. We have identified each Socpa witness by number rather than name, as though the reductions are stated in open court, some of the individuals remain in the witness protection scheme.
|
Socpa witness |
Crime |
Original sentence |
Socpa reduced sentence |
% reduction in jail term |
|
1 |
Vat repayment fraud |
At least 6 months |
Suspended sentence |
100% |
|
2 |
Pharmaceutical fraud |
12 months |
Suspended sentence |
100% |
|
3 |
Insider dealing |
10 months |
Suspended sentence |
100% |
|
4 |
Making corrupt payments |
12 months, suspended for 2 years |
Suspended sentence |
100% |
|
5 |
Conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, supplying controlled drugs, theft, GBH. |
9 years |
9 month suspended sentence |
100% |
|
6 |
Making corrupt payments to foreign government official |
12 months? |
5 months’ suspended sentence |
100% |
|
7 |
Conspiracy to murder |
28 years |
3 years |
89.30% |
|
8 |
Conspiracy to supply class A drug |
8 years |
1 year |
87.50% |
|
9 |
Aiding and abetting murder |
22 years (minimum) |
3 years |
86% |
|
10 |
Aiding and abetting murder |
22 years (minimum) |
3 years |
86% |
|
11 |
Originally charged with murder – following plea agreement, agreed to plead guilty to assisting an offender and also revealed details of previous criminality which included supplying drugs, robbery, burglary and violence. |
If murder – life/indeterminate sentence – 10+ years |
18 months |
85% (estimate) |
|
12 |
48 paramilitary-linked charges, including six charges relating to petrol bombs, nine of affray, drug dealing, five relating to arson, seven firearms offences, two charges of withholding information in relation to a murder and a wounding.He also pleaded guilty to robbery and attempted robbery, aggravated burglary, causing actual bodily harm and paramilitary activity. |
18 years |
3 years |
84% |
|
13 |
£1 million theft |
8 years |
1 year 5 months |
82.30% |
|
14 |
Manslaughter |
35 years |
7 years |
80% |
|
15 |
Robbery, attempted robbery, two counts of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, two counts of possessing a firearm at the time of committing an offence and one count of arson. |
20 years |
4 years less 1 year in custody (minimum) |
80% |
|
16 |
Assisting murder and conspiracy to supply controlled drugs |
12 years |
2.5 years |
79.17% |
|
17 |
Possessing firearms with the intent to endanger life; manufacturing firearms contrary to section 1 of the Firearms Act 1968; possessing ammunition contrary to section 1 of the Firearms Act 1968 |
25 years |
6 years |
76% |
|
18 |
Money laundering, possession of a firearm with intent, possession with intent to supply class A drugs, and handling stolen goods |
18 years |
5 years |
72% |
|
19 |
Cocaine importation |
17 years |
5 years |
70.60% |
|
20 |
Smuggling tens of thousands of pounds of heroin and crack cocaine. |
14 years |
4 years 2 months |
70% |
|
21 |
Drug conspiracy |
8 years |
2 years, 6 months |
69% |
|
22 |
Five offences of corruption |
4 years |
18 months |
62.50% |
|
23 |
Drug conspiracy |
15 years |
6 years |
60% |
|
24 |
Conspiracy to cause GBH. Originally charged with murder |
6 years |
2.5 years |
58.30% |
|
25 |
Conspiring to defraud investors. |
Fellow director received 7 years |
3 years |
57% |
|
26 |
Murder |
18 years (minimum) |
8 years |
55.50% |
|
27 |
Possession of Uzi submachine gun and ammunition |
6.5 years |
3 years (eligible for release after 18 months) |
54% |
|
28 |
Murder |
32 years min |
15 years min |
53% |
|
29 |
Armed robbery |
? |
28 months |
50% |
|
30 |
Supplying Class A drugs and firearms, intent to endanger life |
12 years? |
6 years |
50% |
|
31 |
Firebombed the homes of two police officers |
6.5 years minimum |
5 years (but had already served 3.5 years so was freed) |
50% |
|
32 |
Kidnap |
12 years |
6 years |
50% |
|
33 |
Kidnap |
12 years |
6 years |
50% |
|
34 |
Conspiracy to supply drugs of Class A and Class C, and conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office |
8 years |
4 years |
50% |
|
35 |
Conspiracy to supply class A drug |
8.5 years |
4 years 3 months |
48% |
|
36 |
Burglary and theft |
5.5 years |
3 years |
45% |
|
37 |
Two counts of conspiracy to obtain money transfers by deception and four counts of obtaining a money transfer by deception |
11 years |
6.5 years |
41% |
|
38 |
Violent disorder and having an article with a blade |
2 years 6 months |
18 months |
40% |
|
39 |
Theft |
6 years 4 months |
4 years 4 months |
32% |
|
40 |
Large scale importation of class A drugs |
25%* |
||
|
41 |
Murder and conspiracy to supply controlled drugs | 26 years | 21 years |
20% |
|
42 |
Terrorism: conspiracy to destroy, damage or endanger the safety of an aircraft | 50+ year determinate sentence for not guilty plea, plus life imprisonment, plus indeterminate sentence for public protection. BUT already reduced to 13 years by first judge. | 11 years with option to apply for parole immediately |
15% |
|
43 |
Assisting armed robbery | 18 months |
Unknown |
|
|
44 |
Possession of firearm | 15 months |
Unknown |
|
|
45 |
Currently facing up to 300 paramilitary charges, including murder. |
not sentenced yet |
||
|
46 |
Conspiracy to supply cocaine | ? | 7 years |
Unknown |
|
47 |
Perverting course of justice. | unknown | unknown |
“Substantial”** |
*Judgement confirmed 25% reduction
** No record of percentage reduction in court papers but prosecution barrister confirmed discount “substantial”.
