Is it true that the U.K gives very lenient sentences for awful, even heinous crimes? (crime)

[Marleinie]

I have heard that the sentences given for truly awful even heinous crimes in the U.K is a joke. Such as a convicted rapist or pedophilia will give you maybe a year or so in prison. Is that true? I mean anyone with brains should know the aforementioned deserve at least to be drawn and quartered and spend all of eternity in the deepest pits of hell but from what I have heard such men just get a slap on the wrist.

[Hengist]

Read this and tell me the criminals should not have gone to prison.

Tyler Turner avoids jail for arson attack on Chatham Regency Motor Company

Try googling "spared jail" in relation to UK crime to see how common it is.

Read the comments at the bottom of the story to see how many feel about it.

[Brave New World]

It depends on the severity of the crime and the individual circumstances of the case.

Sentecing Council - Sentencing Myths

Sentencing Council - Life Sentences

[Razza94]

In comparison to where? I guess we're lenient compared to North Korea