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Crime brief

07 June 2007
Issue: 7276 / Categories: Case law , Criminal
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Sentencing sex offences
Kidnapping and deprivation of liberty
Sentencing terrorism offences
Youths: when is a crime grave?
Extradition—when warrants conflict
Doli incapax: Alive and well?
Parole: timing and compensation

Sexual Offences Act 2003: Definitive Sentencing Guidelines

The Sentencing Guidelines Council has issued definitive guidelines for offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It is the duty of every court to “have regard” to the guidelines (Criminal Justice Act 2003 (CJA 2003), s172 ). The guidelines apply to all defendants sentenced on or after 14 May 2007 irrespective of when the offence was committed. The guidelines make clear that there is to be no distinction in relation to penalties for male and female defendants (with the obvious exception of primary offenders in rape cases), and that the gender of the victim will, in most cases, be irrelevant.

Assessing seriousness

The court will consider three factors when assessing the seriousness of the offence: degree of harm to the victim; level of offender’s culpability; and the risk posed to society by the offender.

Harm caused

Courts need to be careful to recognise that harm may

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
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