By Ashley Young-
New sentencing guidelines for perverting the course of justice and witness intimidation will come into effect on October 1.
Offenders could face up to seven years in prison under the new guidelines.
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Perverting the course of justice offences cover a wide range of conduct, from giving false information to police officers at a traffic stop, tampering with evidence or giving false information during a police interview.
The new rules are designed to punish the offence which often helps people avoid prosecution or innocent people being wrongly investigated or charged, potentially even being convicted and sent to prison, says the Sentencing Council.
There are currently no guidelines for the offence of perverting the course of justice and only limited guidance in the magistrates’ courts for witness intimidation.
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The Sentencing Council says for the first time, new guidelines will enable judges and magistrates to take a “consistent approach” to sentencing these offences..
Witness intimidation offences include pressuring witnesses to withdraw allegations or witness statements or withhold evidence in court, using actual violence or threats of violence. The Sentencing Council says such offences could lead to people “withholding important evidence critical to the outcome of a case”.
Those found guilty will face up to four years in prison.
Sentencing Council member, Mrs Justice May, said: “Perverting the course of justice and witness intimidation are serious offences that undermine the administration of justice by falsely accusing people or withholding crucial evidence thus potentially damaging police investigations and wasting courts’ time.
“Innocent people can suffer irreparable damage to their lives through loss of jobs, freedom or reputation while victims and witnesses can feel so frightened that they withdraw from proceedings, resulting in offenders avoiding trial and escaping punishment.”
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