Burrows MLA: “Violent assaults on people cannot be downgraded to a Ticket”

North Antrim UUP MLA Jon Burrows has strongly criticised the Justice Minister’s consultation on extending penalty notices to cover crimes such as burglary, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (AoABH) and fraud. Mr Burrows said:

“This proposal is outrageous. Crimes as serious as fraud and assault causing actual bodily harm are not ‘minor’ offences to be dealt with by something akin to a speeding ticket. Treating them as such undermines justice, public confidence, and the safety of victims.”

The UUP MLA also raised serious concerns about the Department of Justice’s “Easy Read” Guide, which he described as “misleading and insulting.”

“The guide suggests AoABH is a ‘lower-level violent crime, such as saying hurtful things or starting a fight.’ In reality, AoABH covers very serious injuries — victims being knocked unconscious, teeth being knocked out, or wounds requiring stitches. Only last week I commented on a case where a woman had her teeth smashed out with a shovel by a burglar. That crime was AoABH. To suggest it could be dealt with by a penalty notice is indefensible.”

Concluding, Mr Burrows said:

“Defrauding someone out of their  money or inflicting injuries that leave lasting scars are not minor matters. The Minister must urgently withdraw this proposal and correct the misleading information issued to the public.”