Falsely Accused Network Challenges Unduly Lenient Sentence in Joanne Sharkey Case

Date: April 4, 2025

As founder of the Falsely Accused Network, I, Michael Thompson, am publicly announcing that our organization has formally contacted the Attorney General's office requesting an urgent review of Joanne Sharkey's sentence, which we consider to be grossly and inappropriately lenient.

The two-year suspended sentence handed down in this case, which involved the death of an innocent child, is not only inadequate but represents a profound failure of our justice system. Such a punishment does not reflect the severity of the crime committed nor does it serve as an appropriate deterrent for similar offenses.

"A two-year suspended sentence for taking the life of a child is, quite frankly, disgusting," I stated in our formal request to the Attorney General. "This decision makes a complete mockery of our country's justice system and undermines the very principles of child safety and protection that we claim to uphold as a society."

The Falsely Accused Network, while primarily focused on supporting those wrongfully accused of crimes, also advocates for appropriate sentencing in cases where evidence clearly establishes guilt. Our organization believes that justice must be balanced and proportionate – protecting the innocent while ensuring that genuine crimes, particularly those against children, are met with appropriate consequences.

We are calling on the Attorney General to exercise their power to refer this case to the Court of Appeal on the grounds that the sentence is unduly lenient given the circumstances and severity of the offense.

Contact Information

For those wishing to support our call for a review of this sentence you can contact the Attorney General Office

To contact the Attorney General's Office about a potentially unduly lenient sentence, you can email uls.referrals@attorneygeneral.gov.uk or call 020 7271 2492.

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