Violent robber receives immediate prison term under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme

A West Midlands woman who stole a mobile phone and bank cards in a violent robbery has been sentenced to an immediate prison term after her case was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General Alex Chalk, QC MP.

On 27 November 2021, Claire Brown, 39, knocked on the door of the victim’s house and asked to borrow her phone. Brown claimed she was concerned for the welfare of her uncle and wanted to call him. She then forced her way into the house and struck the victim three to four times on the head with a brass ornament, leaving her needing hospital treatment to close a cut above her eye.

After striking the victim, Brown left the house with the victim’s mobile phone and two bank cards. Brown then spent over £140 using the stolen cards.

On 11 March 2022, Brown was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment suspended for 2 years at Birmingham Crown Court for robbery and fraud by false representation.

The Solicitor General referred the original sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme because he believed it was too low.

On 24 May the Court of Appeal found Brown’s sentence to be unduly lenient and sentenced her to an immediate prison term of 3 years and 9 months.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General Alex Chalk QC MP said:

This was a distressing incident for the victim, who was left needing hospital treatment for her injuries. I believed that the original sentence handed down to Claire Brown did not reflect the gravity of her offending, and I am glad that the Court of Appeal agreed today.