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This is a short addendum ruling correcting an error in sentencing within the main judgment reported at [2024] NICC 30 . Determinate custodial sentences were replaced with extended custodial sentences where necessary
[2024] NICC 36 O'Hara J
Crown Court sentencing remarks – catfishing – sextortion - manslaughter - causing or inciting girls under 13 and between the age of 13 and 16 to engage in sexual activity – blackmail – making, distributing and possessing indecent images of children – causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent - intimidation - sexual communication with a child - offending against 70 victims worldwide – harm inevitably and indisputably huge – assessed as presenting a significant risk of serious harm – victim did not prove on the balance of probabilities that he was the victim of catfishing as a child – no previous record – pleas of guilty – some limited evidence of remorse post 2019 – numerous aggravating factors outlined at para [77] - extensive and worsening offending after his first arrest in 2016 – life sentence imposed – 20 year minimum tariff imposed with concurrent sentences in respect of the remaining counts – 10 year SOPO – disqualified from working with children – disposal order in respect of 13 devices
[2024] NICC 30 O'Hara J
Reference by DPP under s.36 Criminal Justice Act 1988 (as amended) – gross negligence manslaughter – various breaches of health & safety at work (‘H&S’) provisions – deceased falling from roof of agricultural shed – 15 months’ imprisonment suspended for 3 years – whether suspended sentence unduly lenient – immediate sentence of 24 months (12 & 12) substituted for manslaughter and concurrent sentence of 6 months for each H&S offence.
[2017] NICA 29 Gillen LJ
Manslaughter on ground of diminished responsibility and 2 X possession of a firearm with intent – planned killing of offender’s father – impaired judgement – assessed as presenting further risk of serious harm – whether life sentence necessary – whether ICS adequately considered – whether 10 yr. tariff appropriate – whether conclusion that responsibility was relatively high correct – fresh medical evidence received on appeal establishing lower culpability – ICS with specified period of 7 years substituted for manslaughter and two with specified period of 4 for firearms convictions.
2015 NICA 57 Morgan LCJ
Guidance on the correct approach to sentencing for manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility.
[2011] NICA 58 Higgins LJ
Offender pleaded guilty to manslaughter at commencement of retrial for murder (of his grandfather) - aged 16 at the time - went to grandfather's home to get money - grabbed grandfather by neck probably causing death - offender armed with knife - two puncture wounds on deceased's neck.
[2010] NICA 48 Morgan LCJ
First instance decision - offender with lengthy history of severe alcoholism, depression and delirium tremens - consideration of English guideline cases dealing with diminished responsibility.
[2008] NICC 40 Hart J
Deceased crossing road and deliberately striking offender - offender then striking deceased - several blows 'of moderate severity' - public location not of offender's choosing - offender a long term alcoholic with impaired ability to defend himself - facts distinguished from Quinn.
[2008] NICA 43 Coghlin LJ
Death resulting from two stab wounds to front of chest - 'deliberate and substantial violence' - no penalty for late plea in circumstances - appropriate in certain circumstances to go outside the range of 8 to 15 years on contest for cases falling outside upper range of gravity identified in Magee - 13 years not excessive on a plea.
[2007] NICA 49 Higgins LJ
Application for leave to appeal against a sentence imposed at Newry Crown Court in 2005 - whether sentence manifestly excessive - manslaughter - 9 years imprisonment and 3 years probation - whether provocation or self defence - alcohol and drug misuse - guidance on sentence after a not guilty plea - guidance on aggravating factors - application for leave to appeal dismissed.
[2007] NICA 21 Kerr LCJ
Death resulting from single unprovoked blow. Need for deterrent sentences. Starting point should be higher in NI than in England. Starting point of 2 years, rising to 6 depending on aggravating circumstances.
[2006] NICA 27 Kerr LCJ
Manslaughter - GBH with intent - drunkenness and mitigation.
[2006] NICA 8 Shiel LJ
Death of constable struck by car attempting to avoid police stinger device after a chase. Aggravation and mitigation - effect of lack of intention. 12 year sentence not unreasonable - Also statement that there should be less discount for a plea of guilty caught red handed.
[2005] NICA 43 Kerr LCJ
Appeal against conviction and sentence - gross negligence - shooting occurred while drunk - criminal evidence - exclusion of expert evidence of alleged mental illness - admissibility of expert opinion on the ultimate issue of gross negligence - whether "monstrously careless" equates to "gross negligence" - whether sentence manifestly excessive.
23 February 1996CARSWELL LJ Carswell LJ
Manslaughter - organised sectarian street fight - joint enterprise.
Kane & Hagan 240395 MacDermott LJ
Appeal against sentence - strangulation - provocation - discount in respect of guilty plea - factors in mitigation.
CAMPBELL J16 DECEMBER 1994 Campbell J
Manslaughter - stabbing - provocation - whether sentence of 10 years excessive - gravity of offence against mitigating factors.
R v Murray 160793 Hutton LCJ
Sentencing - sentence of 5 years - whether unduly lenient.
AG Ref No.2 of 1992 Hutton LCJ