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Appeal against sentence - historic sexual abuse - discretionary life sentence - whether necessary to make finding of unstable character - whether offences sufficiently grave - whether likely future offending must be sex offences - whether alternative protective sentence could be imposed - appeal dismissed.
[2016] NICA 21 Weatherup LJ
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
Rape contrary to Article 5(1) of the Sexual Offences (NI) Order 2008 – continued application of Sentencing Advisory Panel’s 2002 Guidelines – medical evidence of impact on victim must be such as to establish to a rigorous standard – extended custodial sentence of 9 years replaced with a determinate custodial sentence of 7 years - 3½ in custody and 3½ on licence.
[2016] NICA 3 Morgan LCJ
Appeal against sentence – rape contrary to Article 5(1) of the Sexual Offences (NI) Order 2008 (19 years’ imprisonment) and attempted rape (15 years) plus 46 other counts (9 counts of gross indecency 2 years’ imprisonment, 9 of common assault 12 months, 8 of false imprisonment 9 years, 4 of threats to kill 9 years, 7 of indecent assault 9 years and 9 of cruelty to children 7 years all concurrent – whether sentence wrong in principle/manifestly excessive having regard to the Sentencing Council Guidelines and NI Guidelines – whether there had been inadequate deduction because of delay - whether there had been a failure to have regard to the absence of offending from 2004 – McCaughey and Smith approach to Sentencing Council Guidelines reaffirmed and appeal dismissed.
2015 NICA 67 Weatherup LJ
Sexual Assault by penetration together with Common Assault, Criminal Damage and Possession of Class B Drug – digital penetration and further degradation of victim in her home accompanied by acts of violence and destruction. Total sentence of 18 months’ imprisonment plus 18 months on licence – appeal refused and sentence upheld – recent definitive Guideline from E&W considered – need for victim’s medical reports to be supported by notes and records underlined.
2015 NICA 48 Treacy J
Sexual activity with a child – 3 year determinate sentence comprising 18 months’ imprisonment and 18 on licence – 5 year SOPO – Sentencing Court’s reliance on Sentencing Council Guidelines – guidance from decided authorities in NI more reliable than Council Guidelines - 2 year sentence substituted – 12 & 12 – whether SOPO proportionate – that issue remitted to trial court to reconsider.
2015 NICA 14 Morgan LCJ
Possession of indecent child images contrary to Article 3 of the Protection of Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 – SOPO made under s.104 Sexual Offences Act 2003 – whether SOPO terms oppressive/disproportionate.
[2014] NICA 83 Coghlin LJ
Multiple counts of cruelty/neglect/assault on and gross indecency with the female offender’s children – necessity to protect children/deter those who might cause them injury – cases of repeated actions more serious than single incident – combination of consecutive/concurrent sentences – regard to totality principle which can be arrived at by different routes – no error in sentencing detected – appeal refused.
[2014] NICA 71 Girvan LJ
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
Indecent assault, gross indecency and buggery of female child by male sibling aged 13/14 - 4 1/2 year custody probation order (concurrent) reduced to 12 months' imprisonment.
[2013] NICA 27 Morgan LCJ
First instance sentencing remarks – guidance pending Court of Appeal deliberation –trafficking within the United Kingdom for the purposes of sexual exploitation contrary to section 58(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 – controlling activities of another for purposes of prostitution for gain contrary to Article 63 of Sexual Offences (NI) Order 2008 etcetera.
[2012] NICC 26 Stephens J
First instance sentencing remarks – guidance pending Court of Appeal deliberation – trafficking offences – Hungarian – controlling activities of another for purposes of prostitution for gain contrary to Article 63 of Sexual Offences (NI) Order 2008 – assisting in management of brothel Article 64(1) of Sexual Offences (NI) Order 2008 – trafficking two persons into UK for the purposes of sexual exploitation contrary to Section 57(1)(a) of Sexual Offences Act 2003.
[2012] NICC 14 His Honour Judge Burgess
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
Sexual assaults - Criminal Justice (NI) Order 2008 - assessment of dangerousness - English case of Lang adopted - whether sentencers may depart from PSR in assessing dangerousness - extended custodial sentence.
[2010] NICA 40 Morgan LCJ
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 contrary to Section 4 the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 - indecent assault on a female child - gross indecency with a child - consensual - appellant 19 years, victim 13 years at the time - assistance to be derived from final report of the Sentencing Guidelines Council (E&W) on Sexual Offences Act 2003.
[2010] NICA 32 Morgan LCJ
Appeal against sentences - minors - indecent assaults, acts of gross indecency and rape - custodial sentence - other methods of disposal especially a custody probation order - ECHR Art. 8 - sexual offences prevention order expiry date - periods of detention and one year's supervision - third and fourth conditions of the sexual offences prevention order to be deleted - second condition amended in the terms set out in this judgment - sexual offences prevention order to remain in force for the period of five years from today's date - to that extent appeal allowed.
[2009] NICA 17 Kerr LCJ
Sexual offences prevention order (‘SOPO’) - section 104 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 – guidance on the conditions for imposing SOPOs.
[2008] NICA 38 Campbell LJ
Proper approach to sentencing in cases of historic familial abuse
[2007] NICA 5 Kerr LCJ
Indecent assault - AOABH - false imprisonment - Criminal Justice (NI) Order 1996 Art.20 (2)(b) - protective sentences for violent or sexual offence.
[2006] NICA 41 Kerr LCJ