Amendments Nos. 20 and 21 are related. It is proposed with the agreement of the committee to take amendments Nos. 20 and 21 together.
SECTION 14.
Amendment No. 19a not moved.
I move amendment No. 20:
In page 6, subsection (2), line 39, to delete "£500" and substitute "£1,000".
In view of the fact that section 14 deals with terror being caused to people it is appropriate that these amendments should be accepted. Increasing the prison sentence from six to 12 months is appropriate to the crime when somebody's home has been broken into and the person has been terrorised. Homes are no longer sacred places and criminals feel they can invade them. Only this weekend, we heard of three old people in their eighties being beaten up by thugs in disguises who came into their homes. We should have no mercy for those who are found guilty of causing personal injury or for terrorising people in their homes and pleas such as unemployment, that have been offered for such behaviour in the past should not be taken into consideration.
I can accept both amendments if that is the wish of the committee.
Amendment agreed to.
I move amendment No.21:
In page 6, subsection (2), line 40, to delete "6 months" and substitute "12 months".
Amendment agreed to.
Section 14, as amended, agreed to.