A petition calling for an independent review of a Gloucester Crown Court judge’s sentencing decisions in sex and violence cases has exceeded 26,000 signatures in the last five days.

Instagrammer Lily Happy Moon, who has posted the petition on change.org, says Judge Ian Lawrie KC should be “independently reviewed for his sentencing decisions in cases involving male violence and sexual violence against women and girls.”

She added “He has imposed suspended and non-custodial sentences in cases involving male violence, rape, strangulation and sexual offences against children. This includes a convicted rapist who was allowed to remain out of prison under a suspended sentence, and a convicted offender who sexually assaulted three girls under 14 and also received a suspended sentence.

“In another case, a 14-year-old boy who repeatedly stabbed a teenage girl and a male shopkeeper avoided a prison sentence at his final hearing.

“Two of his sentencing decisions have subsequently been overturned or replaced by the Court of Appeal. We are demanding an independent review of these decisions and greater accountability for how the justice system responds to male violence.”

The petition site lists several cases which it says ‘raise serious concerns’

One case, heard in July this year, concerns a 14-year-old boy who followed a girl who had rejected him into a Cirencester shop and attacked her with a kitchen knife, making more than ten attempts to stab her. He also stabbed a shopkeeper who intervened.

“The petition site says “He received no prison sentence at the final hearing – only a 12-month referral order and a three-year restraining order. Judge Lawrie told him ‘You’re a bright lad’ and added ‘My own view is custody is the last place you should be.’

Another case referred to by the petitioner concerns a man who admitted using controlling and coercive behaviour and the intentional strangulation of his partner.

“During one attack, she lost consciousness. Despite a risk assessment identifying him as a high risk of serious harm, Judge Lawrie initially imposed community orders, with no immediate prison sentence,” says the petition.

“The Court of Appeal overturned the sentences and imposed 34 months’ immediate imprisonment.”

Another case cited is that of a man who strangled a firefighter.

“Judge Lawrie initially imposed a community order, with no immediate prison sentence,” says the petition. “The Court of Appeal described his approach as “entirely wrong” and replaced the original order with a two-year suspended prison sentence.”

Ian Lawrie KC
Judge Ian Lawrie (John Hawkins)

The petition says the cases show the need for ‘greater scrutiny of sentences imposed for rape, strangulation, child sexual abuse and serious physical violence against women and girls’ and ‘greater transparency about how judges assess the seriousness of male violence, the risk posed by offenders and the need to protect victims.

Unduly lenient

The petition also calls for a ‘review of the restrictions preventing serious violent offences dealt with in youth courts from being referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.’

The petitioner concludes “Male violence against women and girls must be taken seriously. Women and girls deserve a justice system that recognises the harm inflicted on them, protects them from further violence and holds perpetrators accountable. Rehabilitation must not come at the expense of victims’ safety and justice.

This week the petition had reached 26,678 signatures and had been shared online almost 30,000 times.

Judge Lawrie was resident judge and Honorary Recorder of Gloucester – effectively the city Crown Court’s presiding judge - from 2018 until earlier this year when Judge Rupert Lowe took over the post. Judge Lawrie has, however, continued to sit regularly as a circuit judge at Gloucester since stepping down from the role of Recorder.