A, now 59, was convicted of ten child sex offences committed against his nephew and sentenced to a total of 12 years’ imprisonment. He successfully appealed the convictions on counts 3, 4 and 6 (causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity). He appealed on grounds that there was no evidence C was …
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A ‘significantly revised’ version of the Imposition of community and custodial sentences guideline has been published by the Sentencing Council. In effect from 1 April 2025, a completely new section to the Imposition guideline is included. The document sets out the guiding principles magistrates and judges must follow when imposing community orders and custodial sentences, …
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Sentencing guidelines for those convicted of motoring offences committed while driving vehicles without the owner’s consent came into effect on 1 April 2025. They replace the earlier guidelines (which only covered sentencing by magistrates). The new guidelines cover four aggravated vehicle taking offences: causing death, causing injury, dangerous driving and causing vehicle/property damage. Criminal defence …
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The Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019 created two new offences of what’s known as ‘upskirting’. A was convicted of voyeurism but appealed on the basis there was no case to answer. A, a railway worker, was on a train wearing his uniform and took several pictures of his victim (C) while she was asleep. CCTV showed …
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The overriding principle of totality is that the overall sentence should reflect all the offending behaviour, with reference to overall harm and culpability and the aggravating and mitigating factors relating to the offences, and those personal to the offender. The sentence should also be just and proportionate. In this case, a sentence of 18 years’ …
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