Tariffs

Tuesday 19 February 2002 - 10.00 am
Court 4
Royal Courts of Justice

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

1. John Renshaw was convicted of murder and robbery on 26 November 1999 and sentenced to be detained during Her Majesty's Pleasure. Renshaw was born on 29 May 1983. He was aged 15 at the time of the offence. Renshaw's co-accused, Stephen Siddons, was also convicted of murder and robbery and sentenced to be detained during Her Majesty's Pleasure.

Facts of the Offence

2. On about 7 November 1998 Renshaw and Siddons robbed and murdered the 76 year old victim. The victim, Lily Knight, was a vulnerable woman. She lived on her own and had mental health problems. The crime was particularly horrific. Apart from the other physical violence that the victim suffered, an axe was used to inflict at least six blows to her head, causing multiple fractures. The victim was stripped and had bleach poured on her head wounds and on her pubic region.

3. At the time of the offence Renshaw had a previous conviction for robbery.

4. The trial judge was of the opinion that Renshaw's culpability was less than that of his co-accused's. In addition, Renshaw had a low IQ. Therefore the trial judge recommended a tariff of 14 years for Renshaw and 16 years for his co-accused. The Lord Chief Justice recommended shorter terms because of the youth of the defendants. He indicated a tariff of 12 years for Renshaw. The Home Secretary has not set a tariff in this case. The Lord Chief Justice recommended a tariff of 14 years in the case of the older offender

Post-conviction behaviour

5. From a report authored by the Head of Casework, C Chinn, dated 15 July 2001, the following is noted. Renshaw does not possess the requisite skills to live with the main core of the population at HMYOI Aylesbury. Therefore he spends most of his time in the 'F' wing, the poor coper's wing. He is currently employed to keep the outer areas of the establishment clean, under the close supervision of an officer and only with other prisoners from F wing. Mr Chinn considers he cannot be faulted in relation to his efforts with regard to education. He also encourages others to have education. He is maturing at a steady pace. There are mixed reports on his standard of work, though it appears that the positive comments outweigh the negative. Renshaw received one adjudication for refusing to work.

6. Renshaw has a poor educational record. Whilst in prison he has learned to read and write. He uses the gym facilities infrequently and is described in this area as inadequate and immature. He has poor inter personal skills.

7. Renshaw continues to deny involvement in the murder. The report concludes that "there are a lot of areas that will need to be addressed before John's risk level can be reduced … "

8. There are other reports in relation to Renshaw which I have not seen but the information before me is sufficient for present purposes.

Representations on Renshaw's behalf

9. Two sets of representations were made Renshaw's behalf, on 10 August 2000, and on 1 August 2001. In both sets of representations Renshaw's counsel seek a decrease in his tariff. They emphasise the following: his youth, lesser culpability, limited intellectual ability and the fact that he was convicted on the basis of joint enterprise in a murder that was orchestrated by his older and more dangerous co-accused.

The Victim's family

10. A letter has been received from the victim's son. I have taken his views into consideration.

Conclusion

11. I would not alter the then Lord Chief Justice's recommendation of 12 years but I do recommend this case is again considered in not more than five years.