The appeals concerned sentences for robbery of mobile phones in public places.
Held: Such thefts had become commonplace. The court would not set out to provide sentencing guidelines, but rather to bring together existing guidance. The courts have no alternative but to adopt a robust sentencing policy towards those who commit these offences. An important element is whether a team of thieves is involved. An element of deterrence is appropriate, and even first time offenders must expect imprisonment. The sentences were varied accordingly.
Lord Woolf CJ (as to street robberies): ‘Custodial sentences will be the only option available for the Courts when these offences are committed, unless there are exceptional circumstances. That will apply irrespective of the age of the offender and irrespective of whether the offender has previous convictions.’
Judges:
Woolf LJ, Aikens, Pitchford JJ
Citations:
[2002] EWCA Crim 127, [2002] 2 Cr App R (Sentencing) 345
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Citing:
Cited – Attorney General’s Reference No 6 of 1994 (Regina v Lee) CACD 1995
. .
Cited – Attorney General’s Reference No 73 of 1999 (R v Mark Charles) CACD 2000
. .
Cited – Regina v Bol Joseph CACD 2001
The court upheld a sentence of three years detention imposed under section 91(3) of the 2000 Act on a 14 year old boy who had with others attempted to rob a man of his computer and his wallet. The offence was late at night, the appellant produced a . .
Cited – Regina v Gordon and Foster CACD 2001
. .
Cited by:
Cited – Regina (Director of Public Prosecutions) v Camberwell Youth Court; Regina (H) v Camberwell Youth Court QBD 23-Jul-2004
The DPP sought directions as to the issuing of voluntary bills of indictment to have transferred to the Crown Court, allegations of robbery against youths between 12 and 14.
Held: A child convicted of an offence for which an adult would . .
Cited – Scholes, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department Admn 16-Jan-2006
The deceased had committed suicide whilst in a Young Offenders Institute. The coroner had called for a further enquiry into the way he had been sentenced. The Home Office refused a public enquiry saying that the coroner’s inquest had satisfied its . .
Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete.
Criminal Sentencing
Updated: 15 July 2022; Ref: scu.169910