Sailesh Mehta provides legal commentary on Sentencing Guidelines

Sailesh Mehta appeared on LBC Radio’s Vanessa Feltz Show (6 April) to comment on the sentence given to Lucy Connolly, jailed for two years and seven months for distributing material intended to stir up racial hatred.

Connolly had called for mass deportations and arson attacks in expletive-ridden social media post in 2024. The case returned to public attention over the weekend after former Home Secretary Suella Braverman claimed Connolly was a victim of a “politicised two-tier justice system.”

Sailesh was invited to clarify:

-the legal framework including Sentencing Council guidelines and statutory provisions
-he explained that both Prosecution and Defence had accepted the highest levels of culpability and harm (Category A/1) in this case, given Connolly’s intent to incite violence
-outlined how judges weigh factors like culpability, harm and mitigating circumstances when determining sentences and stressed the importance of judicial independence and that sentencing is based on law, not politics.
-Sailesh stated there was no evidence of a “two-tier” justice system as claimed by the former Home Secretary, nor any political influence in Connelly’s sentencing. He emphasised the Judge followed Sentencing Council Guidelines, clearly outlined the reasoning and noted that Connelly chose not to appeal.

Listen from 01:12:05: [Global Player LBC]
Sailesh Mehta: [Sailesh Metha Profile]