Telford & Wrekin Council calls for justice review

Councillor Stephen Bentley, ward member for Edgmond & Ercall Magna, put forward a notice of motion at a Telford & Wrekin full council meeting on Thursday night.

He called for the council to write to the government demanding a review of sentences for people jailed for crimes such as child trafficking.

He said the issue is a nationwide problem, and he will be calling on other councils to follow suit.

Addressing the meeting, he said: "Child abuse has been going on for decades, if not centuries.

"Child trafficking is not isolated to our borough alone.

"Their victims are from some of the most vulnerable sections of our communities."

He said prison sentences for people who commit such crimes should be served in full.

Councillor Paul Watling, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member with special responsibility for children and adults' early help and support, seconded the motion.

He said: "Communities have to have confidence that the deterrent effect of long sentences for anyone involved in these despicable crimes are there."

It comes after Telford's MP Lucy Allan recently met with Justice Secretary David Lidington to discuss the release of Mubarek Ali.

This meeting was arranged after several victims of child sexual exploitation in Telford spoke to the MP about their concerns regarding Ali’s planned release from prison after serving just five years of a 14 year custodial sentence, with a further eight years on extended licence at his trial in 2012.

Because of time spent on remand before his sentence the release of Ali, 34, of Regent Street, Wellington, was triggered automatically.

At no time was the parole board involved in the decision to allow him to be freed in November.

Ali was said to be one of the ringleaders of a grooming gang caught under Operation Chalice.

The MP wanted to ask the Secretary of State how the law could be amended to ensure those currently serving sentences for such serious offences are not eligible for early release.

The law was changed under the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 to ensure child rapists and terrorists are not allowed automatic release.

Though Ms Allan was told by the minister that legislation could not be applied retrospectively, Mr Lidington said he would be looking into the case to see what measures could to be taken working with the Home Office and prison service, to mitigate the fear of victims and ensure public safety.