asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the current results of sentencing in Northern Ireland for deaths by joy-riders are adequate; and if not, what steps they will take. [HL3271]

The Criminal Justice (No. 2) (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 created the offences of “aggravated vehicle taking” and “aggravated vehicle taking causing death or grievous bodily injury” to deal specifically with the problem of what is often erroneously referred to as “joy-riding”. The maximum penalty for the latter offence is 14 years’ imprisonment. Section 285 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, also increased the penalties available to the courts in Northern Ireland for offences of causing death or grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving—again to a maximum of 14 years’ imprisonment.

Deciding on the appropriate sentence in each individual case is a matter for the judiciary, based on the penalties available, the facts in each individual case and any aggravating or mitigating factors.