Her Honour Judge Amanda Rippon has been appointed to the Sentencing Council by the Lord Chief Justice, with the agreement of the Lord Chancellor. Amanda was called to the Bar in 1993 and practiced in crime in London and the South Eastern Circuit before moving in 2003 to the North East and chambers in Newcastle upon Tyne, where she specialised in serious sexual and violent offences, both prosecuting and defending. Amanda was appointed a Recorder of the Crown Court in 2008, given class 2 authorisation in 2011 and appointed to the Circuit Bench in March 2016, sitting in Newcastle. She is the Lead ..read more

Changes made to a number of sentencing guidelines in response to the Council’s 2023 miscellaneous amendments consultation came into effect on 1 April 2024,  The amendments, which apply to both magistrates’ court and Crown Court guidelines, are designed to improve clarity and reflect developments in case law and changes in legislation. See the miscellaneous amendments consultation pages for a full list of changes ..read more

From 1 April 2024, the Council is including a new, dedicated mitigating factor: ‘Pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal care’, in the majority of offence specific sentencing guidelines, providing guidance for courts on sentencing pregnant offenders and new mothers. Consideration of pregnancy in sentencing was previously part of the ‘Sole or primary carer’ mitigating factor, which set out that, when sentencing a pregnant offender, relevant considerations may include any effect of the sentence on the health of the offender and on the unborn child. What does the new mitigating factor mean? When sen ..read more

Triable only summarily Maximum: 6 months’ custody Offence range: Discharge – 26 weeks’ custody User guide for this offence Guideline users should be aware that the Equal Treatment Bench Book covers important aspects of fair treatment and disparity of outcomes for different groups in the criminal justice system. It provides guidance which sentencers are encouraged to take into account wherever applicable, to ensure that there is fairness for all involved in court proceedings. Applicability In accordance with section 120 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, the Sentencing Council issues this ..read more

Triable only on indictment Maximum: Life imprisonment Offence range: 1 – 18 years’ custody This is a Schedule 19 offence for the purposes of sections 274 and 285 (required life sentence for offence carrying life sentence) of the Sentencing Code. For offences committed on or after 3 December 2012, this is an offence listed in Part 1 of Schedule 15 for the purposes of sections 273 and 283 (life sentence for second listed offence) of the Sentencing Code. This is a specified offence for the purposes of sections 266 and 279 (extended sentence for certain violent, sexual or terrorism offences) of th ..read more

Triable either way Maximum: 14 years’ custody Offence range: High level community order – 13 years’ custody This is a specified offence for the purposes of sections 266 and 279 (extended sentence for certain violent, sexual or terrorism offences) of the Sentencing Code. This is an offence listed in Schedule 13 for the purposes of sections 265 and 278 (required special sentence for certain offenders of particular concern) of the Sentencing Code. User guide for this offence Guideline users should be aware that the Equal Treatment Bench Book covers important aspects of fair treatment and dispari ..read more

Concealing/ disguising/ converting/ transferring/ removing criminal property from England & Wales, Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (section 327) Entering into arrangements concerning criminal property, Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (section 328) Acquisition, use and possession of criminal property, Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (section 329) Triable either way Maximum: 14 years’ custody Offence range: Band B fine – 13 years’ imprisonment User guide for this offence Guideline users should be aware that the Equal Treatment Bench Book covers important aspects of fair treatment and disparity of outcomes ..read more

Triable either way Maximum: 5 years’ custody Offence range: Discharge – 4 years’ custody User guide for this offence Guideline users should be aware that the Equal Treatment Bench Book covers important aspects of fair treatment and disparity of outcomes for different groups in the criminal justice system. It provides guidance which sentencers are encouraged to take into account wherever applicable, to ensure that there is fairness for all involved in court proceedings. Applicability In accordance with section 120 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, the Sentencing Council issues this defin ..read more

Triable either way Maximum: 2 years’ custody Offence range: Conditional discharge – 2 years’ custody User guide for this offence Guideline users should be aware that the Equal Treatment Bench Book covers important aspects of fair treatment and disparity of outcomes for different groups in the criminal justice system. It provides guidance which sentencers are encouraged to take into account wherever applicable, to ensure that there is fairness for all involved in court proceedings. Applicability of guideline In accordance with section 120 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, the Sentencing ..read more

The Sentencing Council is consulting on the first ever sentencing guidelines for immigration offences. The guidelines reflect legislative changes to the Immigration Act 1971 brought in by the Nationality and Borders Act 2022. The proposed guidelines will be used by courts in England and Wales to sentence offenders convicted of immigration offences, including offences of facilitation (assisting unlawful immigration to the UK and helping asylum-seekers to enter the UK), and knowingly entering or arriving in the UK without leave or clearance. The consultation also covers guidelines for sentencing ..read more