Tough sentences come into effect

A new indeterminate public protection sentence comes into effect

Tougher new sentences have come into effect in Northern Ireland, along with the end of automatic 50% remission for offenders.

Now, anyone who commits a serious sexual or violent crime could be kept in prison indefinitely.

A new body of Parole Commissioners will be created to assess prisoners on the risk they pose to the public.

Anyone convicted of a crime that carries a sentence of 10 years or more will have to serve their full sentence.

They will then have to apply to the new parole body.

BBC NI home affairs correspondent Vincent Kearney said: "It's taken the government almost 18 months to deliver on its promise of tougher new sentences for the most serious criminals.

"A new indeterminate public protection sentence for the most serious offenders comes into effect from midnight on Wednesday.

"The highly controversial policy of automatic 50% remission for prisoners, introduced in Northern Ireland in 1976, will also end at midnight."

Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins said: "The availability of these new tougher sentences in relation to offences committed on or after Thursday will help reassure the public that the most dangerous offenders will be behind bars for longer and will not be released back into the community until it is judged that they no longer pose a threat."

He added: "Protecting the public remains my top priority and this legislation gives the criminal justice system new tools to make Northern Ireland safer.

"I have committed an extra £14m to support this programme and make sure that the agencies are properly resourced to deliver these radical changes."

North Belfast DUP MP Nigel Dodds said he welcomed the ending of the 50% remission rule for serious sexual offenders and other dangerous criminals.

"People simply could not comprehend how serious sex offenders, murderers and rapists guilty of truly horrific crimes could get away with serving only half of their sentences before being released," he said.