Two men serving indefinite jail sentences freed after two decades

A pair of men convicted under the now-defunct indefinite sentences for public protection (IPPs) have been released after spending far longer in prison than their original minimum terms required, following a successful appeal. The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) intervened after a review, leading to a high court ruling that overturned their sentences. A third individual, whose sentence was also under review, had his indeterminate term replaced. The case highlights the controversial legacy of IPPs, which saw prisoners detained well beyond their legally set minimum periods.

Convicted pair, plus third man released in August, have IPPs replaced after serving much longer than minimum termsTwo men jailed with indefinite sentences for public protection (IPPs) have been freed after each serving about two decades in custody despite receiving minimum terms of two years or less.A high court judge and a magistrate hearing an appeal after a review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) told Luke Ings and Liam Bennett they would be freed, and also replaced an indeterminate sentence given to a third man, James Ward. Continue reading...