Some context on the judge that sentenced Lucy Connolly, the wife of a Conservative councillor, to 31 months in prison…In April, Judge Melbourne Inman KC, the Recorder of Birmingham, presided over the case of Mohammed Abbkr.
Abbkr set two worshippers on fire as they left mosques in 2023 and was subsequently found guilty of attempted murder.But because Abbkr suffered from mental health issues, Judge Inman decided a prison sentence was not appropriate.So he instead sentenced Abbkr to an indefinite hospital order. Judge Inman further explained this was because of the possibility of him relapsing and causing significant risk to others.
For Connolly, Judge Inman said the sentence for her offences was intended to “punish and deter”.Due to our sentencing guidelines, the way our laws are written, the choice of charges, and the judge’s discretion, we’ve once again ended up with violent words being more harshly punished than actual violent action…
