Labour leader backs jail sentences for violent youths

ANAS Sarwar is backing jail terms for young thugs over fears the justice system is too lenient.

- BY PAUL HUTCHEON

The Scottish Labour leader is calling for a review of sentencing guidelines for under-25s amid a spate of knife crime deaths.

The anti-jail principles, which came into force in 2022, say rehabilitation is the “primary consideration” for this age group.

They state: “A custodial sentence should only be imposed on a young person when the court is satisfied that no other sentence is appropriate.”

Figures from two years ago showed the proportion of criminals under 25 going to prison had dropped by almost one third.

But Sarwar will go into the Holyrood election promising a rethink of the guidelines over fears criminals are evading proper justice.