King v Darryl Haughey
The Court of Appeal provides sentencing guidance in relation to the offence of non-fatal strangulation (see in particular paragraphs [37], [38] and [80]. Important guidance is also given on the proper approach to sentencing where the statutory domestic abuse aggravator applies (see paragraphs [75]-[77], [81]- [83].
Appeal against a 32 month sentence with leave of the single judge - non-fatal strangulation – AOABH – threatening to kill – criminal damage – each count aggravated by reason of domestic abuse – leave granted by the single judge as there were no sentencing guidelines for non – fatal strangulation and further guidelines were required on the appropriate methodology to be adopted when applying the domestic abuse aggravator – starting point of 36 months was held to be appropriate –the uplift in respect of the domestic abuse aggravator should however have been applied after the reduction for the guilty plea as opposed to before – Appellant benefited from a four month reduction as a result – considered unfair to change the sentence in the absence of guidance.