section 18 gbh

[dingle2007]

What is the usual sentence for this? Lots of evidence inc. very good cctv start to finish, 4 witnesess, all medical records showing quite servere injuries no motive.
1 started when first arrested pleading not guilty now its gone to court both pleaded guilty.
Heard in crown court.

Thanks for replies in advance.

[Buenchico]

If the judge decides that it's a 'Category 3' offence (i.e. where 'culpability' and 'harm' are both assessed as 'low) the 'starting point' sentence from which he has to work is 4 years imprisonment, with an actual sentence of between 3 and 5 years.

If only one of the two factors referred to above is assessed as 'high', it's a 'Category 2' offence and the starting point is 6 years (with an actual sentence of between 5 and 9 years).

If both factors are assessed as 'high', it's a 'Category 1'offence, with a starting point of 12 years (and an actual sentence between 9 and 16 years).

Those sentences refer to a first-time offender, who is convicted after a trial. An early guilty plea can see the sentences cut by a third. (A later guilty plea will see a lesser reduction). Previous convictions (especially for violence) can see sentencing pushed higher. (The maximum sentence is life imprisonment).

See pages 3 to 6 here:
http://sentencingcoun...ine_-_Crown_Court.pdf
(That's the actual document that judges MUST adhere to, unless there are very unusual circumstances).

Chris

[dingle2007]

Thanks for your reply.

We were the victims so just trying to get my head round what to expect. Court is today and I'm not sure whether to go or not. Hopefully a phone call with some good news will come early!

[EDDIE51]

As you say the defendants are pleading guilty there will not be a trial just the sentence and you would not be able to speak to the court . I don't think the court is under any obligation to tell you what the sentence is though. You can phone them but they don't have to tell you. I had a similar situation a ew yeas back , I phoned the court to ask what sentence the defendant got , they told me that they didn't have to tell me but they did it any way (5 years was the answer)