Do magistrates, who have quite restrictive powers compared to the higher-ups not have the ability to refer cases to a higher level if they think they don't believe they have the power to sentence an offender in line with an offence? Is there no 'scumbag clause' in extremis?
The sad fact is even at Crown level the maximum they can hand out within their power is what the home office stipulates.
And the dangerous thing for us on bikes is at lower magistrate level they have a maximum given to them too, although guided by local authorities and government guidelines... and is fed through ACPO guidelines, and they're just as out of touch.... it's scary as the cap on hooning down your local road can carry a stiffer sentence than ABH...
As I said the whole thing is twisted and there are coppers and judges who'd like to get proper scumbags locked up longer...but they're hands are tied somewhat. Cack innit?
