header-logo header-logo

16 May 2008
Issue: 7321 / Categories: Case law , Law digest
printer mail-detail

Sentencing

R v Sheppard [2008] EWCA Crim 799, [2008] All ER (D) 54 (May)

 The court gave guidance on the activation of suspended sentences under Sch 12 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

HELD The statutory provisions envisage a twostage test. First, where there has been a breach, the court must order that the suspended sentence take effect either in whole or in part unless it would be unjust to do so. The extent of compliance with the original order is relevant to that decision.

So, for example, if 95% of the order had been complied with, a court might conclude that it was unjust to order that any part of the custodial term take effect. Second, if it is not unjust to activate the suspended sentence, then the court must decide whether or not to impose the original sentence or modify the term. Either option is available where there has been part compliance.

If there has been substantial and prompt compliance with the order then, even if a suspended sentence is to be activated, the court may be

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

DAC Beachcroft—Clare Dewar

DAC Beachcroft—Clare Dewar

DAC Beachcroft strengthens Scottish real estate capabilitywith partner appointment

Womble Bond Dickinson—Brendan Ryan

Womble Bond Dickinson—Brendan Ryan

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints Brendan Ryan as partner in Public Law Projects team

Parklane Plowden Chambers—five appointments

Parklane Plowden Chambers—five appointments

Parklane Plowden Chambers welcomes five new barristers

NEWS
A time-restricted bank tax, a ‘roadmap to fiscal devolution’, extension to parental leave, entrepreneur’s relief and a giveaway on energy bills for households are the headlines in Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey’s 2026 Autumn Budget
A Court of Appeal judge has lamented the ‘very concerning’ state of the law on employee inventor compensation after a chemist’s case took five-and-a-half years to reach court, eventually being listed for a 37-day trial next year
The Law Society has emphasised that responsibility remains human, in a practice note on artificial intelligence (AI)
Respect orders, which enable police, councils, housing associations, transport networks and other authorities to take enforcement action against anti-social behaviour, have come into force across England and Wales
The Land Registry has launched two consultations aimed at making its information more publicly accessible, ‘Restructuring HM Land Registry fees’, and ‘Future of access to HM Land Registry information’
back-to-top-scroll