|
|
|
|
Age, Sex and Employment Status (Tables 6 and 7)
5.1 In total there were 152 accused persons in the homicide cases recorded in 1998. As in previous years, most (86 per cent) of these were male. However, the proportion of accused persons who were female, at 14 per cent, was the highest observed within the last ten years. Two thirds of the 152 accused in the homicide cases recorded in 1998 were aged between 16 and 29.
5.2 In 1998, the total number of individuals accused of homicide equated to 36 per million population. Within age/sex groups, the rate was highest for males aged 16 to 20 (268 per million population) followed by males aged 21 to 29 (152 per million population). Females in the 16 to 20 age group showed an increased rate in 1998 of 38 per million population (as compared with 13 per million population in 1997), though this reflected an increase in the actual number of accused from only 2 to 6.
5.3 Eighty-nine (60 per cent) of the persons accused of homicide in 1998 were recorded as being unemployed, with 26 (17 per cent) recorded as being in work (Table 7). The proportion of accused persons who were unemployed was similar in 1998 to the 1990 figure, but lower than the proportion recorded between 1991 and 1995.
Results of Proceedings (Tables 8 and 9)
5.4 Of the 152 persons accused in the homicide cases recorded in 1998, 47 have had a charge of murder proved to date (i.e. as at 12 November 1999) (Table 8). Of these, 45 were given a life sentence and 2 were given hospital orders. A further 23 accused persons have had a charge of culpable homicide proved, of whom 13 were given a sentence of over 4 years imprisonment and 2 were given hospital orders. To date, 18 accused persons (12 per cent) have been acquitted.
5.5 Over the last 10 years, 62 per cent (936) of accused persons in homicide cases had a charge proved against them and 18 per cent were acquitted. The remaining 20 per cent were either not proceeded against (9 per cent), died (2 per cent), had proceedings against them dropped (3 per cent), have their case pending (5 per cent), or are still to be charged (1 per cent). Of those persons with a charge proved against them, 85 per cent were sent to prison or a young offenders institution, just under half of whom were given life sentences. Only 41 (4 per cent) were given hospital orders and/or were judged to be insane.
5.6 In general, in the last 10 years, the number of people convicted of culpable homicide was either more than or similar to the number convicted of murder. 1998 was unusual in that the number convicted of murder was much greater than the number convicted of culpable homicide. This is illustrated in chart 7.
Chart 7: Numbers convicted of murder and culpable homicide, 1989-1998
|
|
|