In accordance with section 120 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, the Sentencing Council issues this definitive guideline. It applies to all offenders aged 16 and older, who are sentenced on or after 24 May 2018, regardless of the date of the offence. For offenders aged 16 – 18 refer also to Overarching Principles – Sentencing Children and Young People; however, the general principles of this guideline will still apply.
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.”