Political and public pressure is driving a slew of "hysterical" sentencing from fast-track courts for offences related to England's recent riots, a senior barrister warned.
The warning follows the sentencing of two men to four years imprisonment this week after they were found guilty of attempting to incite violence on Facebook.
Jordan Blackshaw, 20, and Perry Sutcliffe-Keenan, 22, pleaded guilty at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday after police discovered Facebook pages created by the men which urged rioting in their home towns.
Neither Blackshaw nor Sutcliffe-Keenan was accused of rioting or looting themselves, yet the pair were given the lengthiest sentences so far in relation to the nationwide disorder.
Leading criminal barrister John Cooper QC said: "It's the duty, in my view, of all those who direct sentencing to be independent and not to be influenced by angry Britain."
"There's no doubt that some individuals will need to be sentenced very firmly, but my concern is that the sentences given in the last week have been disproportionate and somewhat hysterical.
"What's happening here is they're being unduly increased to appease public anger and, as far as the magistrates are concerned, potentially influenced by the views of politicians."
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