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Wounding with intent to commit GBH (ECS 9 plus 3) threats to kill (9 plus 1 concurrent) – both lower harm and lower culpability required for lower starting point in s.18 OAPA 1861 offence – McAuley and Seaward guideline clarified – however sentencing court’s starting point here of 11yrs. was too high in a case of low harm – 9 yr. custodial element reduced to 7 – dangerousness finding approved and 3 yr. extension left undisturbed.
2015 NICA 65 Morgan LCJ
Wounding with intent X2; common assault X2; and false imprisonment – domestic violence – culpability high but degree of harm low – ECS of 6 plus 4 for each wounding – court underlined need to identify domestic setting as aggravating feature – dangerousness considered – delay between conviction and sentence held to be breach of Article 6 but aggravation outweighed this – appeal refused.
2015 NICA 58 Morgan LCJ
AOABH contrary to s. 47 OAPA 1861 and common assault (co-def. aiding and abetting) – shaving victim’s hair and eyebrows while she was in alcohol induced stupor – done over two nights – striking her on the face – filming/photographing the offending – 5 year ECS manifestly excessive and replaced with determinate 4 year sentence.
2015 NICA 40 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
Reference under s. 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 – terrorist murder of police officer life imprisonment for adult offender – application of minimum tariff – 25 years not unduly lenient – detention at Her Majesty’s pleasure for youth offender – minimum term of 14 years unduly lenient – limited mitigation for youth in serious violent offence of this nature – tariff of 18 years substituted.
[2014] NICA 69 Morgan LCJ
Reference by DPP - attempted grievous bodily harm with intent – gratuitous violence by young males 2 of the 3 still children – s. 53 Justice (NI) Act 2002, Art. 45(2) Criminal Justice (Children) (NI) Order 1998 and Beijing Rules all considered - sentences substituted.
[2013] NICA 38 Morgan LCJ
Common assault contrary to Section 47 of OAPA 1861 – domestic violence – 7 aggravating features – offence triable summarily – sentence to be in proportion to what magistrates’ court would have done – magistrates’ courts guidelines approved.
[2011] NICA 64 Morgan LCJ
Common assault contrary to Section 47 of OAPA 1861 – modest level of physical violence – offence triable summarily – whether sentence out of all proportion to what the magistrate would have done.
[2011] NICA 42 Morgan LCJ
Further guidance on the steps to take in assessing the appropriate minimum term in mandatory life sentences.
[2011] NICA 24 Hart J
Section 18 OAPA 1861 - infliction of wanton violence by young males - kicking victim while on the ground - consideration of recent Sentencing Council (E&W) Consultation.
[2010] NICA 36 Morgan LCJ
Credit to be given for period of foreign detention relating to subject crime.
[2010] NICA 12 Morgan LCJ
Offender participating in concerted sectarian attack on group of young Roman Catholic men - one of the group left in low-level, probably vegetative state - reduced life expectancy - late plea - joint enterprise - CPO 12 years plus 1 (total: 13 years).
[2009] NICA 51 Coghlin LJ
Offender one of three assailants - 'savage and unprovoked' attack on young man in Belfast City Centre - previous convictions showed 'propensity to random senseless violence' - victim suffering catastrophic injuries - CPO 14 years plus 1 (total: 15 years) on a contest.
[2009] NICA 4 Kerr LCJ
Conditions justifying imposition of whole life tariff
[2008] NICA 27 Kerr LCJ
-Causing grievous bodily harm with intent contrary to section 18 OAPA 1861
-Protective element under article 20 of the Criminal Justice (NI) Order 1996
-Previous good character and youth to be taken into account
- Totality/proportionality
First instance judgment - offender stabbing victim in course of argument - severe consequences for victim's long term physical and mental health - late plea to this and offences of intimidation of witnesses and threats to kill - CPO of 10 years plus 1 (total: 11years) (7.5 years for s. 18, 3.5 years consecutive for other offences).
[2008] NICC 18 Hart J
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
Tariff - higher starting point - domestic violence.
[2006] NICA 29 Kerr LCJ
Guilty pleas - need to plead at earliest opportunity.
[2006] NICA 4 Kerr LCJ
GBH and robbery (2 separate offences) - consecutive sentences - custody probation order.
[2005] NICA 32 Campbell LJ