Definitive sentencing guideline for use in courts in England and Wales on sexual offences.

New – now includes guidance for sentencing offences of sexual exploitation under section 2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Version updated as follows:

August 2015 – corrections to minor errors in Annex C.

February 2016 – to reflect legislative changes to sections 48, 49 and 50 SOA 2003 (see pages 89 – 94).

August 2016 – amendment to Annex C.

December 2017 – includes guidance for sentencing offences of sexual exploitation under section 2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

This pdf should be used for reference only. For in force, definitive guideline(s), go as appropriate to:

Sentencing guidelines for use in the magistrates’ courts

Sentencing guidelines for use in Crown Court

Sexual offences: Definitive guideline – Archived PDF

Extract from Sentencing Council’s definitive guideline on sentencing children and young people.

Sentencing children and young people – Sexual offences guideline – Archived PDF