NEW guidelines requiring a prison sentence of at least five years for rape have been welcomed as “absolutely the right decision” by campaigners.After a public consultation, the Scottish Sentencing Council signed off on the new guidance in December, before it came into force on Tuesday.Judges will now be advised to hand down sentence of between five and 13 years for the rape of an adult, and between seven and 14 years for the rape of a child.Sentencing council chair, Lord Beckett said: ”I am pleased these guidelines are now in effect.

NEW guidelines requiring a prison sentence of at least five years for rape have been welcomed as “absolutely the right decision” by campaigners.

After a public consultation, the Scottish Sentencing Council signed off on the new guidance in December, before it came into force on Tuesday.

Judges will now be advised to hand down sentence of between five and 13 years for the rape of an adult, and between seven and 14 years for the rape of a child.

Sentencing council chair, Lord Beckett said: ”I am pleased these guidelines are now in effect.

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