The defendant appealed a sentence of two months for contempt in the face of the court. When coming to court to give evidence on behalf of her partner in respect of allegations of sexual assault against his daughters, she had met the same daughters also attending as witnesses outside the court. She had called them ‘scum,’ and they had felt intimidated. She had admitted her offence and apologised.
Held: The sentence was appropriate, but the recorder had not known of her ill health, and on compassionate grounds her sentence was reduced to 28 days.
Citations:
[1997] EWCA Crim 1826
Statutes:
Administration of Justice Act 1960
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Criminal Sentencing, Contempt of Court
Updated: 11 October 2022; Ref: scu.151281
