It was a technical error to impose a single global extension period when sentencing for two or more offences by means of consecutive extended sentences. Simplicity was achieved by imposing one single extended sentence on one of the offences, and setting its terms having regard to all the other features of the case.
A sentence of imprisonment for public protection with a notional determinate sentence of 16 years’ imprisonment for rape, sexual assault and robbery, reduced to 12 years’ after credit for a guilty plea, was not manifestly excessive. The notional determinate sentence had been made to reflect all three offences, and there were significant aggravating factors which […]
It was doubtful whether there was still a rule that prosecuting counsel could not make a closing speech where the accused was unrepresented. It was preferable to approach the issue as a matter of balance and fairness: it was incumbent on a trial judge, faced with an unrepresented accused, to assess all the circumstances of […]
Where there had been confusion during the jury’s return of verdicts on four counts of an indictment against two co-defendants, and a verdict against a count of kidnap was not formally entered against one defendant, that defendant had not been convicted of kidnap. The court therefore ordered the Crown Court record to be amended accordingly […]
An extended licence period which had been imposed on a young man who had committed a number of offences against prostitutes would be reduced from five to three years to take into account his progress in prison and his acceptance of guilt.
