Tariffs

10 May 2002 - 12.15
Court 4
Royal Courts of Justice

The decision of the Lord Chief Justice on tariff in the case of Meina Latif in accordance with the Practice Direction dated 27 July 2000 (The Times 9 August 2000)

1. Meina Latif was born on 16 April 1981. On 28 May 1999, at Leeds Crown Court, Meina Latif was convicted of murder and was sentenced to be detained during Her Majesty's Pleasure. The offence was committed between 9 April 1998 and 12 April 1998, at which time Meina Latif was 17 years of age

2. Meina Latif stood trial with four co-defendants, Christopher Paul Bevis (aged 17), Mark Frank Brian Francom (aged 21), Claire Louise Latif (aged 19) and Ann Nolene Harker (aged 16). All four co-defendants were convicted of murder.

3. Meina Latif had no previous convictions.

Facts of the Offence

4. On 9 April 1998, Meina Latif, Claire Latif and Harker invited the victim, Angela Pearce, to Claire Latif's council flat. Their purpose was to rob Pearce of her jewellery and money and to have some fun at her expense. Pearce was seriously assaulted by Claire Latif and Harker. They kicked her in the face, struck her several times in the face with an iron and robbed her of her possessions. Pearce's injuries were so severe that she was not allowed to leave the flat.

5. During the course of the next two days, 10 and 11 April 1998, Claire Latif, Harker and Francom beat Pearce with a snooker cue causing a cut to her skull and severe trauma. Meina Latif, Harker and Francom stubbed out cigarettes on Pearce's face, head and upper chest. When Pearce asked for a drink, Francom urinated on her face as Pearce lay on the floor. Harker and possibly others then burned Pearce's hair with an aerosol hair lacquer canister which they used as a flame thrower. Meina Latif chopped parts of Pearce's hair off. Further, Meina Latif and Francom, possibly also Claire Latif, jumped and stamped on Pearce's chest causing a fracture to her sternum and the ribs on both sides giving rise to flail chest making breathing even more difficult.

6. By 11 April 1998, Pearce had been locked in a cupboard in the kitchen of Claire Latif's flat. On occasion Meina Latif, Claire Latif and Harker would go to the kitchen and further assault Pearce. On 12 April (though one cannot be sure of the exact date) Pearce probably died.

7. On 25 April 1998, police found Pearce's body buried in a shallow grave. Post mortem examinations showed bruising to the neck consistent with strangulation from a ligature or hands. The exact cause of death, however, could not be ascertained. Pearce had sustained multiple fractures, any of which untreated could have led to death.

8. The trial judge, The Hon Mrs Justice Steel DBE, recommended a tariff of 20 years for Meina Latif. In respect of the co-defendants, the trial judge recommended the following tariffs: Bevis (17 years), Francom (20 years), Claire Latif (20 years) and Harker (16 years). The trial judge noted that Meina Latif's "psychiatric and psychological reports cause very real concern as to the degree of dangerousness and likelihood of re-offending". The Lord Chief Justice agreed with the trial judge's recommendation, noting that "despite her youth, I think a term of 18-20 years is called for". A psychological report of 14 April 1999 referred to Meina Latif's difficult home background and that she was functioning well below average intellectual ability.

Post-Conviction Behaviour

9. Meina Latif was transferred to HMP Holloway in June 1999, spending most of her time on the Young Offenders Unit before being moved to adult location in March 2001. I have considered the report of Mr Hearn, the Lifer Manager at HMP Holloway, in reaching my conclusion. He notes that Latif's behaviour on the Young Offenders Unit was "generally good" and that she has been on Enhanced status on the Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme for much of her time at the prison. Latif is said to have expressed remorse for her actions though she maintains that her failure was to prevent the death of Pearce rather than being an active participant in it.

10. Latif has had five adjudications against her for offences against prison rules (though none since December 2000), and Mr Hearn voices concern that Latif was involved in bullying behaviour whilst on the Young Offenders Unit and has been subject to formal anti-bullying documentation on three occasions. At times, Latif's mood is described as being "very low" and as a result she has been subject to the F2052SH Scheme, which monitors more closely those most susceptible to suicide or self-harm. Since her move to the adult location at HMP Holloway, Mr Hearn notes that Latif's behaviour has been "markedly better". He concludes that there "remains much to do" in addressing her offending behaviour but that Latif has made "steady progress" and has developed skills to help her through her life sentence.

11. I have also considered reports from other members of staff at HMP Holloway, in particular the reports of Reverend Deedes (Assistant Chaplain), Ms Bentley-Ross (Deputy Education Manager), Ms D'Arcy (Probation Officer), and Ms Cain (Higher Psychologist). These reports are consistent in the view that although Latif has progressed well since her arrival at HMP Holloway and that she has sought to address her behavioural difficulties, there remain areas of concern. Of most concern is her continued difficulty to accept her active involvement in the offence and the occasions on which she was involved in bullying behaviour. However, Ms Cain states that over the last two years Latif has developed skills to assist her through her life sentence and that she copes more effectively. In a report dated the 24 July 2001 the Deputy Education Manager states that Latif has made significant and measurable progress as a person and a learner.

12. Latif has achieved qualifications in computing, maths, communications skills, catering, textiles and sports awards. She has completed a 22 session Enhanced Thinking Skills course, an eight week Offending Behaviour programme and a three day Assertiveness Training course.
Representations on behalf of Latif

13. Representations have been made on Latif's behalf by Messrs Bhatt Murphy Solicitors dated 18 October 2001. I have taken these into account in reaching my conclusions.

The Views of the Deceased's Family

14. Representations have been made by Pearce's parents, Mrs Irene Simmons and Mr Stephen Pearce. They are naturally extremely distressed by what happened to their daughter and Mrs Simmons was so adversely affected by the offence that she had to give up her job. Both oppose any reduction in tariff.

Conclusions

15. This was an extremely serious offence but the tariff was high for a person of Latif's age. Latif is now trying to make progress and this should be encouraged. I recommend a tariff of 17 years.