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Public influences Criminal Justice Bill

People power has influenced the new Criminal Justice Bill for the Isle of Man, with some proposals being removed and some added following public consultation.

Of note is a new clause is to be added to increase the maximum sentence for child cruelty from two years to 10 years in prison.

But new measures relating to establishing a hate crime as an offence in the Isle of Man have been removed, after a number of respondants expressed concern over them.

And criminal damage and theft have been removed from the list of offences that could be dealt with by issuing a fixed penalty fine.

Home affairs minister Adrian Earnshaw says the department has sought to strike the right balance between public opinion about the bill and police powers needed to modernise the Island's laws.

The bill must also go before Tynwald for approval.

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