Menu
13/10/2010
News Plans For Assault Terms
Under new plans, criminals convicted of assault will be sentenced on the basis of the harm they caused their victims, the Sentencing Council have announced.
Judges and Magistrates in England and Wales are currently revising the guidelines.
Sentencing guidelines for assault offences are currently based on a description of the offence.
The proposed changes will ensure a consistent approach to sentencing and a "clearer and more coherent decision making process".
For assault cases, the court will now determine sentences by considering "the offender's culpability in committing the offence and the harm caused, or intended to be caused", to the victim.
The review will affect 84,000 offenders sentenced for assaults in 2008.
Currently, three of the four categories of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) include descriptions of premeditated assault with different levels of injury.
But many spontaneous assaults, including drunken violence in the street, do not easily fit into those categories.
Following on from a landmark Court of Appeal ruling last December, when Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge increased the sentences handed out to three men who were jailed over deaths resulting from unprovoked street attacks.
Chairman of the Sentencing Council, Lord Justice Leveson said: "Our revisions set out a proposed guideline that means any offence of assault can be met with a proportionate sentence based on a consistent framework.
"This will make it easily applied by judges and readily understood both by victims and the public."
In the consultation document, the council said judges and magistrates have often not followed the existing guidelines and there has been a "general trend towards longer sentences for all assault offences" over the last 10 years.
The public consultation on the new guidelines will end on 5 January 2011.
(BMcN/GK)
Judges and Magistrates in England and Wales are currently revising the guidelines.
Sentencing guidelines for assault offences are currently based on a description of the offence.
The proposed changes will ensure a consistent approach to sentencing and a "clearer and more coherent decision making process".
For assault cases, the court will now determine sentences by considering "the offender's culpability in committing the offence and the harm caused, or intended to be caused", to the victim.
The review will affect 84,000 offenders sentenced for assaults in 2008.
Currently, three of the four categories of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) include descriptions of premeditated assault with different levels of injury.
But many spontaneous assaults, including drunken violence in the street, do not easily fit into those categories.
Following on from a landmark Court of Appeal ruling last December, when Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge increased the sentences handed out to three men who were jailed over deaths resulting from unprovoked street attacks.
Chairman of the Sentencing Council, Lord Justice Leveson said: "Our revisions set out a proposed guideline that means any offence of assault can be met with a proportionate sentence based on a consistent framework.
"This will make it easily applied by judges and readily understood both by victims and the public."
In the consultation document, the council said judges and magistrates have often not followed the existing guidelines and there has been a "general trend towards longer sentences for all assault offences" over the last 10 years.
The public consultation on the new guidelines will end on 5 January 2011.
(BMcN/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 November 2012
Man Jailed For Liverpool Football Fan Murder
A man has been jailed for life for murdering a Liverpool fan following an unprovoked attack at a bar in Camden.
Man Jailed For Liverpool Football Fan Murder
A man has been jailed for life for murdering a Liverpool fan following an unprovoked attack at a bar in Camden.
04 October 2013
Max Clifford Pleads Not Guilty To Charges
PR consultant Max Clifford has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of indecent assault. The 70-year-old appeared at Southwark Crown Court this morning. He faces charges relating to seven alleged victims, between the ages of 14 and 19, between 1966 and 1985. Speaking outside the court, Clifford said he was "totally innocent" of the allegations.
Max Clifford Pleads Not Guilty To Charges
PR consultant Max Clifford has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of indecent assault. The 70-year-old appeared at Southwark Crown Court this morning. He faces charges relating to seven alleged victims, between the ages of 14 and 19, between 1966 and 1985. Speaking outside the court, Clifford said he was "totally innocent" of the allegations.
09 May 2003
Victims to get say in sentencing
Victims of crime and the police will have a say in setting what the Home Secretary describes as "more consistent sentences" for criminals under plans published today.
Victims to get say in sentencing
Victims of crime and the police will have a say in setting what the Home Secretary describes as "more consistent sentences" for criminals under plans published today.
06 December 2012
Board Recommends Tougher Sex Crime Sentencing
Rape and other sex offences could carry tougher sentencing in England and Wales in an effort to recognise the long-term psychological harm they cause.
Board Recommends Tougher Sex Crime Sentencing
Rape and other sex offences could carry tougher sentencing in England and Wales in an effort to recognise the long-term psychological harm they cause.
15 May 2012
New Guidelines Increase Punishment For Dangerous Dog Offence's
The Sentencing Council for England and Wales have issued new guidelines which say that people who fail to stop their dog harming others should face at least six months in jail. The guidelines are the first issued to judges and magistrates for convictions under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
New Guidelines Increase Punishment For Dangerous Dog Offence's
The Sentencing Council for England and Wales have issued new guidelines which say that people who fail to stop their dog harming others should face at least six months in jail. The guidelines are the first issued to judges and magistrates for convictions under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
