Supreme Court upholds rule limiting sentence reviews for juvenile murderers

The short version

• The Supreme Court ruled that removing the option to review minimum prison terms for juvenile murderers sentenced after turning 18 does not violate human rights.[BBC News]
• The decision rejected a legal challenge brought by 29-year-old Jesse Quaye, who was 17 when he took part in the 2014 murder of Connor Barrett.[BBC News]
• Parliament changed the law in 2022 to block reviews for offenders sentenced as adults, which five Supreme Court judges found complied with the European Convention on Human Rights.[BBC News]
• Quaye's solicitor said there is a strong prospect of appealing the decision to the European Court of Human Rights.[BBC News]

Key facts

• The Supreme Court ruled that removing sentence review eligibility for juvenile murderers sentenced as adults does not breach human rights.[BBC News]
• Jesse Quaye was sentenced to a life term with a 15-year minimum for the 2014 murder of Connor Barrett committed when Quaye was 17.[BBC News]
• Parliament voted in 2022 to prevent juvenile offenders sentenced after turning 18 from requesting a minimum term review.[BBC News]
• Five Supreme Court judges determined the European Convention on Human Rights did not obligate the government to consider reducing Quaye's minimum term.[BBC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Juvenile murder sentence rule doesn't breach human rights, says Supreme CourtBBC News - Top Stories