BY PAUL MCELWEE
MICHAEL Harron, the husband of murdered Strabane pensioner Attracta Harron has welcomed the news that 50% remissions are to finally be ended in Northern Ireland. Trevor Hamilton, who received a full life jail sentence for the murder of Mrs Harron is set to appeal against the conviction in February.
Speaking to the TyroneHerald, Mr Harron said,"I welcome the fact that what we asked for in terms of the protection of women is coming in. Not only are we getting rid of 50% remissions but there's independent sentencing and electronic tagging. But in saying this, we hope that judges are not going to be hamstrung by the tighter sentencing. The sentencing guidelines is what gave Hamilton such a light sentence to start with."
Michael goes on to say, "If you look at the draft order you'll see that a lot more than the remission has come in. One of the things is that a judge will now be able to give a life sentence for rape in Northern Ireland, where it wasn't possible before. A lot of things that were available in England before are now available here with this draft order.
Although happy at the new measures, Mr Harron says that it could have been done sooner.
"The draft order is not an act of Parliament. It doesn't need to go through all the legal proceedings of a law. lt requires is a simple vote in the House of Commons. I can't understand why it has taken so long to get this done."
Mr Harron's comments come as new laws to end 50% remission for all prisoners in Northern Ireland are outlined by the Government. This is legislation that has been proposed since the murder of Strabane pensioner Attracta Harron almost four years ago. Her murderer, Trevor Hamilton, is currently serving a life sentence behind bars for the killing. He had been released from prison just weeks earlier after serving half of a seven-year sentence for rape.
IN FORCE
The new legislation is due to be in force by next summer As well as 50% remission, it will also mean tougher sentences for the most serious crimes.
Speaking about the new legislation, Security Minister Paul Goggins said that under the new public protection sentences, dangerous violent and sexual offenders who posed the greatest risk "would spend longer in prison and would only be released when it was considered safe".
"The judge will decide the minimum term to be served; the new independent Parole Commissioners will decide when the time is right for the offender to return to the community."
"All offenders who have committed crimes serious enough to merit prison will serve a set period of time in custody followed by close supervision in the community under strict conditions.
In finishing, Minister Goggins said, "Both parts of the sentence will be served in full without remission and if the offender breaches the community conditions he can be sent back to prison."
Under the new legislation, electronic tagging will be introduced for some offenders and judges will also be able to impose curfews.
The draft Criminal Justice Order also contains proposals for an increase in the penalty for carrying knives, a tightening of the laws on bad driving and new powers to deal with alcohol-related disorder.
