The appellants challenged sentences for violent disorder. They generally had clean records, but had become involved in the violence after binge drinking.
Held: Such offences often involved young men of previous good character, but the court must also look to the distress and anxiety caused to the public. Though each offender would want to be punished only fro what he had done, the court also had to take account of the collective effect, which was a significant feature. Courts should send clear messages about behaving out of character after binge drinking. The starting point taken by the judge of three years imprisonment was high, but within the range of proper sentences. The appeals were dismissed.
Citations:
Times 22-Jul-2005
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Criminal Sentencing
Updated: 07 May 2022; Ref: scu.229643