News

[jennyjoan]

just watching telly and a woman has got 20 years jail with 4 years extended licence due to ill health. What does extended licence mean and what did she actually get.

[andy-hughes]

As I understand it, an extended licence means that the convicted individual is released into the community 'on licence' which means if they re-offend during the term of the licence, they are returned to prison.

[jennyjoan]

ok thanks Andy - did she not get any jail then

[JimF]

https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/about-sentencing/types-of-sentence/extended-sentences/

[AuntPollyGrey]

Did you get your emails sorted out then?

[JimF]

Yes, she would have got 20 years, as per your OP. However, unlike a "regular" sentence where the offender is released, an extended licence means that they will go straight back inside if they re-offend during the period of the licence, i.e. not tried as a separate offence.

[Mamyalynne]

https://www.newschain.uk/news/belfast-woman-sentenced-20-years-prison-over-attempts-kill-police-27896


Yes, she's in prison

[Buenchico]

With a 'normal' ('determinate') sentence, the offender is released from prison half-way through their sentence but remains 'on licence' until the full term is up. (i.e. their presence in the community is subject to conditions and any breach of those conditions can see them returned to prison).
https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/about-sentencing/types-of-sentence/determinate-prison-sentences/

With an 'extended' sentence the offender can't be released until two-thirds of the way through their sentence. (Depending upon the exact terms of the sentence, they might be released automatically at that point or they might only become eligible for parole). They then remain 'on licence' until the end of their sentence AND for a further period beyond that point (as determined by the judge who passed sentence).
https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/about-sentencing/types-of-sentence/extended-sentences/

So the woman you refer to won't be eligible for release from prison until she's served 13 years and 4 months in prison. Then she'll be 'on licence' for 6 years and 8 months until the end of the 20-year sentence PLUS a further 4-year period of extension, taking the total time 'on licence' to 10 years and 8 months.

[jennyjoan]

thanks all - she should languish in prison and the key threw away

[jno]

where does the ill health come into it?

[Mamyalynne]

//The defendant is suffering from significant ill health, mental and physical. She suffers from diabetes and hyperthyroidism, she has in the past and continues to suffer mental health issues. She is clinically obese and at present vulnerable if she was to contract Covid-19.//

[jno]

mamya, yes, I was wondering why that was grounds for extended licence.