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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
Making/possession of explosives – s. 3(1)(b) Explosive Substances Act 1883) – DPP’s Reference – sectarian motivation – 2 years’ probation and 100 hours’ community service – sentencing recommendation in victim impact statements not to form basis for reassessing sentencing – while deterrent custodial sentences normally required for sectarian violence the individual circumstances meant the sentence should not be interfered with.
[2014] NICA 6 Coghlin LJ
Possession of explosives – s. 3(1)(b) Explosive Substances Act 1883) – causing an explosion likely to endanger life or to cause injury to property – s.2 Explosive Substances Act 1883 – DPP’s Reference – sectarian motivation – need for deterrent sentencing – 4 years’ imprisonment suspended for 3 years – unduly lenient but not interfered with.
[2013] NICA 73 Coghlin LJ
Appeal against 3 year sentence for 48 offences (incl. firearms offences) committed from 1992 to 2007 - member of loyalist paramilitary organisation - whether there should be discount for mitigating circumstances in applicant’s personal life - whether custodial sentences should have been suspended – appeal dismissed – specific guidance on the sentencing of defendants who have assisted the Police (ss. 73-76 Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005) annexed to judgment.
[2013] NICA 8 Morgan LCJ
Reference by AG of sentence as unduly lenient - robbery - whether other offenders knew of intention to use knife of obvious importance to sentencing exercise – failure to cite relevant guideline authorities to sentencing judge - sentences imposed for robbery unduly lenient - quashed and substituted.
[2008] NICA 41 Kerr LCJ
Robbery - youth offender - consecutive or concurrent sentences.
[2007] NICA 16 Kerr LCJ
Guilty pleas - need to plead at earliest opportunity.
[2006] NICA 4 Kerr LCJ
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
Possessing a weapon designed to discharge a noxious liquid gas or thing, contrary to Section 6(1)(b) of Firearms (NI) Order 1981 (as amended) - questions to ask when considering appropriate disposal of firearms offences - suspended sentence - R v. Avis and Others [1998] 1 Cr App R applied.
[2005] NICA 7 Nicholson LJ
Firearms Offences - whether sentence is unduly lenient - double jeopardy.
[2004] NICA 20 Kerr LCJ
AG referral of sentence as unduly lenient - armed robbery of rural post office - section 8 (1) Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 – considerable violence used - taking a motor vehicle without consent Art. 172 Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981- offender heavily pregnant when sentenced – no PSR obtained despite offender’s request - sentence unduly lenient - 27 month sentence substituted for custody probation order (2 years’ custody & 18 months’ probation).
[2004] NICA 6 Kerr LCJ
Firearms (NI) Order 1981 - possession of firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances - burden of proving lawful object - sentence.
[2003] NICA 53 Kerr J
Robbery - Amateurish robbery of small business - need for deterrence - substitution of immediate custodial sentence for a non-custodial one.
[2003] NICA 32 Carswell LCJ
Robbery and possession of firearm with intent - deterrent sentences for armed robbery of bank.
Coates 230697 MacDermott LJ
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
Attempted robbery and assault - "mugging" - young offender.
R v Benson 230597 MacDermott LJ
Look-out for robbery with violence - contemplation of violence - crime committed to finance drug habit.
R v Henderson 080396 Carswell LCJ
Robbery or attempted robbery from elderly person in own home - R -v- Ferguson guidelines - distinguishing features.
Gibson 100395 MacDermott LJ
Robbery with violence - mitigating factors - alcoholic - plea of guilty.
R v O'Neill & Archibald 280193 Kelly LJ
Attempted robbery and assault occasioning actual bodily harm - imprisonment for 14 and 12 years - elderly victim - savage and prolonged attack - deterrent sentences - appropriate discount for late plea of guilty - accused alcoholic - whether relevant that accused under influence of drink - whether excessive or wrong in principle.
[1992] NIJB 26 Hutton LCJ