Sentencing Guidelines - Guilty Pleas

11 judgments

18 May 2022

R v Maughan (Appellant) (Northern Ireland)

This is a judgment given by Sir Declan Morgan in the Supreme Court which reaffirms the different approach in this jurisdiction (from E&W and Scotland) to the question of the reduction for a guilty plea in circumstances where the offender has essentially been apprehended in flagrante.

[2022] UKSC 13
Sir Morgan
16 March 2016

R v Sean Ruddy

Possession of explosives with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property contrary to s. 3(1)(b) of the Explosive Substances Act 1883 - reiteration of principles governing guilty pleas – need for counsel to correct any misapprehension on court’s part as to timing of guilty plea –recourse to be had to the ‘slip rule’ under s. 49(2) of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 when appropriate – sentence left undisturbed.

[2016] NICA 17
McBride J
17 May 2013

R v Gary McKeown; DPP Ref (No 2 of 2013) and R v Han Lin

Appeal against sentence and DPP's Reference - review of authorities on supply and production of drugs - consideration of definitive guideline from England & Wales - guideline deemed useful for aggravating and mitigating factors and serious/culpability - less applicable however in this jurisdiction on starting points and ranges where flexibility required - different approach needed for very large quantities - R v. McIlwaine [1998] NICA reaffirmed in this regard.

[2013] NICA 28
Morgan LCJ
16 December 2011

R v James John Stewart Caswell

Causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving – need for sentencing court to establish factual basis of plea – proper approach to use of Guidelines – culpability rarely judged by consequence being serious injury rather than death.

[2011] NICA 71
Morgan LCJ
24 February 2006

Gary McDonald, John Keith McDonald and Stephen Gary Maternaghan, Attorney General's Reference (Number 1 of 2006) (AG REF 11-13 of 2005)

Guilty pleas - need to plead at earliest opportunity.

[2006] NICA 4
Kerr LCJ
11 November 2005

Bernard Philip Mary Rooney, Denis Michael Dorrian, Gerard Martin Paul Irvine, Seamus Patrick Cunningham and Sean Martin Joseph Doran. Attorney General's Reference (No. 1 of 2005) (AG Ref 6-10 of 2005)

This is the guideline judgment which authoritatively lays down correct procedure to be followed in this jurisdiction when a sentencing indication is sought by a defendant.

[2005] NICA 44
Kerr LCJ
27 October 2005

R v Charles Malachy Oliver Pollock

Death of constable struck by car attempting to avoid police stinger device after a chase. Aggravation and mitigation - effect of lack of intention. 12 year sentence not unreasonable - Also statement that there should be less discount for a plea of guilty caught red handed.

[2005] NICA 43
Kerr LCJ
16 March 1998

R v McShane

Dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified - discount for guilty plea - when maximum sentence may be imposed on a guilty plea.

[1998] NIJB 64
Kerr J
06 March 1998

R v Baker and Another

Custodial sentence - seriousness of offence - offence so serious that only custodial sentence can be justified - appellants pleading guilty to charge of burglary and sentenced to six months' imprisonment - whether custodial sentence appropriate.

[1998] NI 130
MacDermott LJ
18 December 1997

R v Colin McKeown, Jason Loyal & Robert Glasgow

Conspiracy to rob and false imprisonment - plan to rob sub post office appellants caught holding the family of sub post mistress hostage - deterrent sentences - discount for guilty plea under Article 33 of the Criminal Justice (NI) Order (1996).

R v McKeown, Logal, Glasgow 181297
MacDermott LJ