Unduly Lenient Sentences

More than 400 years ago, Guy Fawkes was caught plotting to blow up Parliament. But would the torture used to secure his confession be allowed in a court of law today?In this episode of Full Comment, Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange of Corker Binning revisit the Gunpowder Plot and the trial of Guy Fawkes, exploring the use of torture to obtain evidence and how the law governing confessions has evolved over the past 400 years.They delve into the treatment of Guy Fawkes following his arrest, the use of torture to extract confessions and identify his co-conspirators, and whether that evidence would be admissible in a criminal trial today. Drawing on the modern legal framework under PACE and the landmark House of Lords ruling in A and Others v Secretary of State, they consider how the courts approach evidence obtained through torture, the exclusion of confessions and the fundamental importance of a fair trial.Full Comment is the podcast from the Corker Binning crime team, discussing criminal law, investigations and the issues surrounding some of the most complex cases.To hear more from us:Follow Corker Binning on social media to keep up with the latest news, insights and updates from our criminal law team. Listen to more episodes of Full Comment for expert analysis of the legal issues behind the headlines, the latest developments in criminal law, and the cases shaping the criminal justice system.Visit our website at www.corkerbinning.com to learn more about our team and expertise, and subscribe to Full Comment wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.

What happens when someone is named, discussed or identified online before they have even been charged with a criminal offence?In the opening episode of Season 3 of Full Comment, Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange of Corker Binning are joined by Tom Rudkin, Partner and Head of Reputation Management at Farrer & Co, to explore the complex relationship between criminal investigations, privacy rights, media reporting and reputation.The discussion looks at what can be done when a journalist intends to identify someone who is under investigation, the legal protections available before charge, and when an injunction may be necessary.The episode also considers a fundamental tension in modern criminal cases: the legal process contains safeguards, but public opinion and online commentary rarely wait for them.Full Comment is the podcast from the Corker Binning crime team, discussing criminal law, investigations and the issues surrounding some of the most complex cases.

Most people know a convicted defendant can appeal a sentence.Far fewer realise that, in certain cases, the prosecution can also ask for a sentence to be increased.This episode explains how the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) Scheme operates, why the threshold is deliberately high, and why Parliament has chosen to expand the rights of victimsfrom 29 June 2026. It also explores a broader question. Is the criminal justice system becoming increasingly willing to reopen decisions that were once regarded as final?

Recent cases in England and Scotland have forced the criminal courts to confront a painful question: when a victim of domestic abuse takes their own life, can the abuser be held criminally responsible for the death? Edward Grange and Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh examine the acquittals in the English cases of Ryan Wellings and Christopher Trybus, the Scottish culpable homicide conviction of Lee Milne, and the wider challenge of proving causation where coercive control, mental health and autonomy collide.

In this episode of Full Comment, Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange travel to Barcelona for the European Criminal Bar Association Spring Conference and use the opportunity to speak to European criminal lawyers about issues affecting their criminal justice systems and why being a member of an association of lawyers such as the ECBA can have benefits beyond professional networking. Whose inspiration in becoming a lawyer was Ally McBeal and who are better: French or English judges?

In this episode, Edward Grange and Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh discuss when conduct in grassroots football crosses the line into criminal behaviour. Drawing on Ed’s personal experience as a referee, they discuss and reflect on the realities of officiating from the National League downwards, where high emotions, differing interpretations of the rules, and the influence of social media can quickly escalate situations. They explore where the legal thresholds lie, from verbal abuse and physical contact through to sustained targeting of referees, and what this can mean in practice when matters move beyond the pitch and into the criminal sphere, set against FA data on the scale of abuse faced by officials.   ** Disclaimer** This episode contains some contextual strong language reflective of the subject matter and first-hand accounts.

In this episode of Full Comment, Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange take a close look at the offence of coercive or controlling behaviour in its 10th anniversary, and consider whether the legislation has delivered on its intended purpose. Drawing on practical experience in these kinds of cases, they explore how the law is being applied, the evidential challenges it presents, and whether it is achieving meaningful outcomes both for those it is designed to protect and those who claim to have been falsely accused. 

In this episode of Full Comment, the Corker Binning Crime Team go global, unpacking the reality behind Interpol following the BBC documentary Wanted: The Interpol Files. From red notices and diffusions to data protection, human rights safeguards, and the real-world impact on individuals, this episode cuts through the myths and explains how Interpol really works.Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange explore common misconceptions (no, Interpol doesn’t arrest people), how national authorities interact with Interpol through National Central Bureaus, and why red notices can have life-changing consequences, even when no arrest ever happens.They also look at Interpol’s successes in tackling cross-border crime, the role of the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF), and the growing tension between global police cooperation and domestic criminal justice systems.Whether you’re curious about international law, concerned about travel risks, or want a clearer understanding of how global policing operates behind the scenes, this episode offers practical insight grounded in real legal experience.

AI-generated deep fakes are becoming increasingly realistic, and the law is racing to catch up.In this episode of Full Comment, Edward Grange and Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh examine the growing use of AI to create non-consensual intimate images, prompted by the recent Grok controversy. They break down the UK’s new criminal offences covering the requesting and creation of AI-generated intimate images, soon to come into force under the Sexual Offences Act, and explain what they mean in practice.The discussion explores key grey areas: can asking an AI tool amount to a criminal request, how these offences will be enforced, and what role tech platforms and regulators will play. Edward and Danielle also consider wider tensions between free speech and personal autonomy, differences between UK, EU and US approaches, and concerns about over-criminalisation, particularly where young people are involved.A timely and thought-provoking conversation about law, technology, and the real human impact of deep fake imagery.

In this episode of Full Comment, we explore the devastating consequences of a single act of violence and the powerful role restorative justice can play in the aftermath of tragedy. Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange discuss the case of James Hodgkinson, a 28-year-old trainee paramedic who died after an unprovoked punch outside a Nottingham bar in 2011, and the remarkable journey that followed.Through the story of James and the young man responsible for his death, we examine what happens when impulsive behaviour collides with irreversible harm, why sentencing can feel so at odds with a victim’s loss, and how restorative justice sometimes offers answers the criminal justice system cannot.From the emotional impact on the victim’s family to the offender’s attempt to rebuild his life, this episode asks difficult questions about intent, responsibility, rehabilitation, and whether anything good can ever emerge from such a senseless death.A sobering and thought-provoking listen, particularly as the festive season approaches and nights out become more frequent, reminding us that one moment of anger can change countless lives.