CONSISTENT SENTENCING

The Sentencing Advisory Panel published two consultation papers last week on appropriate sentencing procedures where offenders convicted of a criminal offence admit other offences. The panel indicates that heavier sentences are appropriate in this situation.

Panel chair Martin Wasik says: “Where an offender is convicted or pleads guilty the court must consider the seriousness of the offence and any associated offences—that includes offences taken into consideration. It seems obvious from this a court should normally pass a heavier sentence that reflects the totality of the offending behaviour but current sentencing practice suggests that the issue is not entirely clear.”