Criminology In The News: Tougher Sentences

Conservative MP Jonathan Gullis has joined calls for imposing a stricter sentence for a man found guilty of gross negligence after his partner was left in a scalding bath. Mark Clowes was given a two-year suspended sentence after being found guilty of the charges of gross negligence, as his partner Clare Bell, pleaded for help in getting out of a scalding bath that left her with third-degree burns over 30% of her body.

During the court case, the jury heard that both Clowes and Bell had a history of alcohol abuse and Bell was often reliant on Clowes to perform caring responsibilities for her. Throughout their relationship, neighbours report hearing Clowes make controlling remarks towards Bell. On the day of the incident that cost Bell her life, Clowes was overheard refusing to help Bell out of the bath.

The judge, upon sentencing Clowes, suggested that his behaviour was a ‘lapse in an otherwise loving, caring relationship’. Campaigners for the Femicide Census group argued that ‘the sympathy afforded to Mark Clowes throughout the sentencing is in such marked contrast to the evidence of his conduct that day.’

The case brings about many elements that students will have studied during their work in Unit 1 and Unit 3. There are some selected questions below, but the series of articles is great for looking at concepts throughout the course.

Read more about the case from this article in the Guardian (8/2/24) and answer the questions that follow:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk...

1. How would you categorise the crime committed according to the different categories in AC 1.1 of Unit 1
2. The Femicide Census group could be categorised as what type of agent of social control?
3. Which part of the criminal justice system would be responsible for reviewing the sentence handed down by the judge?
4. Suggest one reason why the judge might have handed down a suspended sentence in this case?
5. What might biological explanations of criminality suggest was the cause of Clowes ‘out of character’ behaviour?
6. What type of evidence was provided in the case that might have persuaded the judge to come to the sentence that they did?