Court of Appeal hears indeterminate sentences

In a significant development, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has referred the indeterminate sentences of seven individuals to the Court of Appeal. All seven were convicted between 2005 and 2012 and have remained in custody despite serving terms longer than their minimum tariffs. The cases include Michael Seddon, sentenced for robbery, Andre Hurst for aggravated burglary and grievous bodily harm, and Ryan Helstern for robbery, among others. According to the CCRC, the referrals bring the total number of IPP/DPP cases submitted this year to 32.

Dame Vera Baird KC, the Chair of the CCRC, stated "The Commission remains committed to identifying IPP and DPP cases where developments in the law suggest that an indeterminate sentence may have been wrongly imposed." These sentences were originally meant for serious offenders deemed a danger to the public, but both IPP and DPP sentences were abolished in 2012. However, prisoners serving these sentences have not been released from their terms. Despite the abolition, the CCRC is actively reviewing cases to ensure fairness in sentencing.

Baird highlighted that these seven applicants were all young when sentenced and received relatively short tariffs yet still find themselves incarcerated long after their minimum terms. She expressed concern that “insufficient weight was given to their youth and immaturity when their dangerousness was assessed.” The CCRC’s efforts are ongoing, with over 250 IPP and DPP cases currently under review, signalling a steadfast dedication to justice in light of evolving legal standards. In a recent meeting with UNGRIPP, a support group for families of people still serving IPP sentences, Baird acknowledged the complex realities faced by those affected, emphasizing the Commission's commitment to this critical area of justice.