Legal expert recommends keeping thieves, fraudsters out of jail

Thieves and fraudsters should be spared jail, with prison sentences reserved for the most serious crimes, a British legal expert has said.

Law professor Andrew Ashworth said prison, as Britain’s most severe punishment, should only be used for the most serious crimes including those of a violent, threatening or sexual nature.

But for “pure property offences”, including theft, handling of stolen goods, criminal damage and fraud, imprisonment is disproportionate and the priority should be on making sure victims are compensated and that perpetrators make amends, he said.