Sentencing guidelines - Theft and other Dishonest Offences

34 results

28 June 2024

The King v Kenneth Clarke and Jamie McConnell

DPP reference – whether sentences unduly lenient - conspiracy to steal, commit arson and to commit criminal damage – theft of machinery to damage property with the forced removal of ATMs from commercial properties - case mistakenly presented to the judge on basis the headline offence was conspiracy to commit theft attracting a max sentence of ten years - judge in error as to lower starting point – substituted a sentence of seven years and six months in case of Clarke – reference allowed - reference in case of McConnell dismissed – sentences in this area must be deterrent – prosecutors should consider charging for separate offences where possible - guidance provided in cases involving multiple incidents at para [41]

4[2024] NICA 52 Keegan LCJ

12 April 2024

The King v O'Loughlin

This is the first Encrochat sentencing judgment in NI.

Crown Court sentencing remarks – various drug offences - Proceeds of Crime Act offences – firearms offences – conspiracy to cause GBH – conspiracy to commit murder - material obtained from the Encrochat network by the NCA through a joint French and Dutch police investigation – 12 years imprisonment.

[2024] NICC 12 His Honour Judge Rafferty KC

10 November 2023

The King v Francis Devlin

Renewed application for leave to appeal a sentence of four years’ imprisonment – four counts of conspiracy to cheat the public revenue – sole issue of impact of imprisonment on applicant’s son – whether sentence should be suspended – Court of Appeal approved the application of the guidance in R v Petherick [2012] EWCA Crim 2214 in NI – circumstances not so exceptional to merit a suspension – public interest in deterrence – appeal dismissed

[2023] NICA 71 Keegan LCJ

17 February 2020

R v Coleman

First instance sentencing remarks - one of fourteen cases heard together - interim guidance under LCJ’s ‘Programme for Action on Sentencing’ - the approach to sentencing in so-called ‘money mule’ fraud cases.

[2020] NICC 5 His Honour Judge McFarland

08 January 2020

Director of Public Prosecution's Reference (Number 5 of 2019) - Harrington Legen Jack

DPP reference – whether sentences unduly lenient – fraud by abuse of position - sentencing guidance provided in respect of offending of this kind (paras [34] - [36]) - whether a breach of the reasonable time requirement – guidance provided in respect of the reasonable time requirement (paras [42] – [45]) - sentences imposed were unduly lenient – discretion whether to quash the sentence imposed – offender already completed approximately one half of the community service order – exceptional facts - sentences not quashed

*Sentencing judges should now follow the guidance outlined in R v Michael McGinley [2025] NICA 11 in respect of delay*

[2020] NICA 1 Stephens LJ

17 June 2016

R v Paul Mahoney

Appeal against 4 year Determinate Custodial Sentence, comprising 2 years custody and 2 years on licence - conspiracy to defraud - setting up and operation of websites which permitted the viewing of films in breach of copyright and the advertising revenue - sections 327(1)(a) and 329 Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 - appeal dismissed - principles derived and applied from first instance sentencing remarks, the Court of Appeal (E&W) and Sentencing Guidelines Council.

[2016] NICA 27 Morgan LCJ

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

22 May 2015

R v Donna McCool and Michael Harkin

False accounting contrary to s. 17(1)(a) Theft Act (NI) 1969 - false statements contrary to s. 105A(1) of the Social Security Administration (NI) Act 1992 – imposition of confiscation orders – whether court had jurisdiction order under POCA 2002 – whether amounts confiscated proportionate – Held that 2002 Act applied but amounts disproportionate and new amounts substituted.

2015 NICA 31 Morgan LCJ

27 March 2015

R v Connor Joseph Hamilton

Fraud by false representation – whether probation element of combination order wrong in principle – probation element quashed and guidance given on proper procedure.

2015 NICA 15 Girvan LJ

24 January 2014

Ryan McDowell, Attorney General's Reference (No 17 of 2013)

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

10 December 2013

R v Gareth Edward Marcus, DPP Ref (No 1 of 2013), Reference under Section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988

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

22 November 2013

R v Rafal Tomasz Rymacki and Krzystof David Jankowski

First instance sentencing remarks.

[2013] NICC 20 His Honour Judge McFarland

18 February 2013

R v Hyde

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

18 January 2013

R v Ashok Kumar

First instance sentencing remarks – guidance pending Court of Appeal deliberation – carrying dutiable goods with intent to defraud contrary to Section 170 of the Custom & Excise Management Act 1979 – consideration of relevant Sentencing Council (E&W) Guideline and categories.

[2013] NICC 12 His Honour Judge McFarland

30 June 2011

R v Aidan Grew and Hilary Patrick McLaughlin and R v Patrick Mackle, Plunkett Mackle and Benedict Mackle

Fraudulent evasion of duty contrary to section 170(2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 - cigarette smuggling operations - whether trial judges erred in imposing confiscation order – appropriateness of custodial sentences for these offences.

[2011] NICA 31 Girvan LJ

25 May 2011

R v William Brady

Social security fraud - review of sentencing decisions in this area - imposition of compensation order.

[2011] NICA 4 Girvan LJ

28 May 2010

R v Thomas Corrigan

Handling stolen goods - English Guideline case of Webbe approved in this jurisdiction - aggravating factors identified.

[2010] NICA 23 Morgan LCJ

21 December 2007

R v William David John McCracken

First instance sentencing remarks - making a false instrument contrary to Section 1 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 - falsification of documents required for EU and domestic compliant export of pigs - export of livestock - procedures not followed - ECHR art 6 - 2 years imprisonment suspended for 3 years.

[2007] NICC 51 Treacy J

09 March 2007

Niall David McGonigle. AG's Ref (No. 6 of 2006)

Robbery - youth offender - consecutive or concurrent sentences.

[2007] NICA 16 Kerr 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