The Sentencing Council issues this definitive guideline in accordance with section 120 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. This guideline applies to all offenders aged 18 and older, who are sentenced on or after 1 June 2018, regardless of the date of the offence.*
Section 59(1) of the Sentencing Code provides that:
“Every court –
- must, in sentencing an offender, follow any sentencing guidelines which are relevant to the offender’s case, and
- must, in exercising any other function relating to the sentencing of offenders, follow any sentencing guidelines which are relevant to the exercise of the function,
unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.”
This guideline applies only to offenders aged 18 and older. For sentencing children and young people, see:
- Bladed articles and offensive weapons (possession and threats) – children and young people
- Sentencing children and young people – overarching principles
*The maximum sentence that applies to an offence is the maximum that applied at the date of the offence.