New move to protect victims of crime

Under draft legislation, which is designed to give greater protection to victims of crime, criminals who breach their restraining order could face up to two years in prison and an unlimited fine.

Currently, such an order can be imposed only in harassment cases, but under proposed legislation, prosecutors could ask for an order to be issued against any convicted criminal if they can prove that the defendant is likely to harass their victim in the future or put them in fear of violence.

It emerged during an Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel hearing on Thursday that officials from the Home Affairs and Law Officers’ departments began considering introducing extra powers to impose general restraining orders after work began on draft legislation for an updated Telecommunications Laws, which would cover cases such as cyber bullying and revenge porn.

A debate into the amendments is due to be resumed on June 16.

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