Lichfield’s MP has claimed the sentences handed out to killers of Michael Eccles were not a fitting punishment for the crime committed.
Sixteen-year-old Jordan Carroll, of Windmill Close, will serve a minimum of 11 years in prison, while Carl Keatley, of Greencroft, must serve a minumum of 13 years for killing Mr Eccles in a vicious attack as he walked home from shops at the Dimbles.
And now the city’s MP, Michael Fabricant, has raised the issue of the length their sentences in the House of Commons.
He asked Jack Straw, the Secretary of State for Justice:
“A few months ago Michael Eccles, a young father in my constituency, was murdered. The people who did it were found and sentenced to prison but, under the terms of their sentence, they could be released in just a few years. Can the Secretary of State understand the anger and frustration of the family and friends who feel that justice is not being served by such short sentences?”
Mr Straw assured the Lichfield MP that Mr Eccles’ family will have the opportunity to have their say should Keatley and Carroll be considered for release.
He added:
“I share the grief of the family. If the conviction was for murder, the sentence will have been for life. A minimum tariff will have been set, although I do not know what it was.
“Home detention curfew and early release from custody under the 18-day provision do not apply to any such serious offenders. Even once they have served their tariff – I would be very surprised if it were not in double figures – they will be released only once they have satisfied the Parole Board that it is safe.
“I assure you that the victim’s bereaved family will have a right to appear before the Parole Board.”
Following the exchange in the House of Commons, Mr Fabricant said he hoped the Parole Board would look take into account the feelings of Mr Eccles’ family when the duo were considered for release.
He explained:
“I not only share the grief of the family as Jack Straw has said, but their anger and frustration too.
“Prison is not just to protect society from those held in prison, it is to punish the perpetrators of crime and to deter others from committing crime. Eleven and 13 years would not be a punishment to fit this particular crime.
“As Jack Straw has said, Michael Eccles’ family will have the opportunity to appear before the Parole Board and state their disgust, should release be considered for the murderers once the minimum sentence has been served.”
