Sentencing guidelines - Terrorist Offences

34 results

22 March 2024

The King v Gavin Coyle

The Court of Appeal adopts, at paragraph [37] and [38], the principles set out in R v Green [2019] EWCA Crim 196 when deciding what, if any, impact a previous sentence for similar related offences should have when passing the new sentence.

DPP reference and application for leave to appeal the six year sentence by the defendant – terrorism offences - whether 12 year starting point correct – whether there was culpable delay for which a deduction from sentence should have been made – totality - appellant had, since the index offences took place, been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in 2014 in respect of terrorism offences - whether max credit should have been given for the guilty plea – sentence unduly lenient – leave granted – substituted a sentence of 8 years imprisonment (2/3 in custody) – appeal dismissed

[2024] NICA 22 Keegan LCJ

02 February 2024

The King v Fionnghuale Mary Theresa Dympha Marie Nuala Perry

The Court of Appeal sets out best sentencing practice in terrorism cases with reference to the new statutory sentencing regime at paragraphs [33] – [36].

Appeal against a sentence of four years imprisonment and 12 month licence period – collecting or making a record of information likely to be useful to a terrorist – whether sentence manifestly excessive – whether the sentence was a product of an error of law relating to the new sentencing regime – article 7 ECHR – new approach applied by sentencing judge – one year licence period applied by operation of law rather than any judicial decision or act – no error of law – court reemphasised where a deterrent sentence is required personal mitigation carries little weight – appeal dismissed

[2024] NICA 11 McCloskey LJ

19 April 2023

Morgan and others (Respondents) v Ministry of Justice (Appellant) (Northern Ireland)

A judgment of the UKSC on appeal from NI in which it was unanimously held that section 30 of the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021, which inserted Article 20A into the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008, is compatible with article 7 and article 5 of the ECHR.

UKSC 14 [2023]

23 September 2022

The King v Niall Lehd

Appeal against an extended custodial sentence of 24 years imprisonment with an extension period of 5 years – preparation of acts of terrorism - whether the sentencing judge had erred in principle by basing his approach on the guidelines as stated in R v Kahar [2016] EWCA Crim 568 rather than the SGC Guideline – whether NICA should formulate guidelines for sentencing of offences under section 5(1) of the Terrorism Act 2006 - whether the sentence is manifestly excessive– whether the judge erred in deciding that the appellant is dangerous - sentencing judge was not obliged to apply the SGC Guideline - the judge was entitled to base sentencing on R v Kahar in the absence of NICA guidance - no merit in the challenge to the starting point – no merit in the challenge to the judge’s assessment of mitigating factors – no error in the assessment of dangerousness – held not appropriate for NICA to formulate guidance for section 5(1) cases - sentencing judges at liberty in section 5 cases to consider R v Kahar and the SGC Guideline – appeal dismissed

[2022] NICA 51 McCloskey LJ

01 June 2022

Queen v Christopher Robinson

Appeal against sentence – convicted of murder of a senior prison officer and causing an explosion with intent to endanger life – joint enterprise – mandatory life sentence with 22 year minimum term prior to release at first instance – appeal against minimum tariff of 22 years – application to extend time – whether trial judge was wrong to conclude that there was nothing by way of personal mitigation giving rise to a reduction in sentence - R v McCandless [2004] NICA 1 confirmed as leading authority on sentencing in murder cases – high culpability – high harm – case fell within the very serious category – planned – politically motivated – use of explosive device a highly aggravating factor – terrorist crimes involving serving police or prison officers can expect sentences of upwards of 20 years – personal mitigation is likely to be of limited if any value – no merit in appeal - application to extend time refused - appeal dismissed

[2022] NICA 30 Keegan LCJ

15 January 2021

Queen v Christine Connor

appeal against sentence and DPP’s Reference – terrorist offences – causing explosion and attempted murder – 20-year ECS with 4-year extension period – whether sentence manifestly excessive or unduly lenient – intent - sentencing of the trial judge unsustainably generous – substitution by a sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment accompanied by 4-year extension period - sentence varied upwards.

[2021] NICA 3 McCloskey LJ

17 April 2020

R v Haggarty

Sentencing for multiple terrorist offences, including murder and attempted murder – guilty pleas – offender assisting police pursuant to ss. 73-75 SOCPA 2005 – whether discount appropriate – guidance given on the approach to be taken to ‘the SOCPA discount’.

[2020] NICA 22 Morgan LCJ

14 October 2014

R v Wootton & McConville

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

24 January 2014

Ryan McDowell, Attorney General's Reference (No 17 of 2013)

Making/possession of explosives – s. 3(1)(b) Explosive Substances Act 1883) – DPP’s Reference – sectarian motivation – 2 years’ probation and 100 hours’ community service – sentencing recommendation in victim impact statements not to form basis for reassessing sentencing – while deterrent custodial sentences normally required for sectarian violence the individual circumstances meant the sentence should not be interfered with.

[2014] NICA 6 Coghlin LJ

10 December 2013

R v Gareth Edward Marcus, DPP Ref (No 1 of 2013), Reference under Section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988

Possession of explosives – s. 3(1)(b) Explosive Substances Act 1883) – causing an explosion likely to endanger life or to cause injury to property – s.2 Explosive Substances Act 1883 – DPP’s Reference – sectarian motivation – need for deterrent sentencing – 4 years’ imprisonment suspended for 3 years – unduly lenient but not interfered with.

[2013] NICA 73 Coghlin LJ

01 June 2004

Thomas John Hazlett, Attorney General's Reference (No 3 of 2004) (AG Ref 4 of 2002)

Firearms Offences - whether sentence is unduly lenient - double jeopardy.

[2004] NICA 20 Kerr LCJ

05 December 2003

R v Andre Shoukri

Firearms (NI) Order 1981 - possession of firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances - burden of proving lawful object - sentence.

[2003] NICA 53 Kerr J

14 November 1997

R v Sean Patrick McGuigan

Grievous bodily harm with intent - assault using iron bar - "punishment beating" - deterrent sentences.

R v McGuigan 141197 Kerr J

29 March 1996

R v Brian Joseph Arthurs

Conspiracy to cause explosion and possession of explosive substances with intent - mortar bomb which exploded accidentally - deterrent sentences for terrorist offences - whether sentence of 25 years manifestly excessive.

R v Arthurs 290396 Hutton LCJ

18 January 1996

R v Kevin McCann

Attempted murder of soldier - deterrent sentences - whether sentence of 25 years manifestly excessive - whether Court of Appeal can analyse sentences passed by other judges for similar offences.

R v McCann 180196 Hutton LCJ

17 November 1995

R v Mark Gerard Hannigan & Thomas Gerard Brogan

Attempted murder and possession of firearms with intent - joint enterprise - whether accessory had sufficient knowledge or contemplation - sentence for terrorist offences in view of cease-fire - prisoner had offended whilst released on licence.

R v Hannigan & Brogan 171195 Carswell LCJ

26 October 1995

R v David Adams, Robert Crawford, Paul Stitt, Gerard Bradley and Patrick Donaghy

Conspiracy to murder, cause an explosion and other offences - appellants elected not to challenge prosecution evidence - not the equivalent of quilty plea - deterrent sentences for terrorists - disparity of sentence between co-accused.

R v Adams & others Carswell LCJ

30 March 1995

R v Patrick Martin Murray

Conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosion - whether rules for remission in respect of prisoners serving life sentence differ from those for other serious offences - court should decide appropriate sentence without reference to questions of remission of parole - whether entitled to discount where defendant did not dispute evidence or require Crown to call evidence of proof but did not plead guilty.

R v Murray 300395 Hutton LCJ

03 March 1995

R v John Glennon, Francis Maher, John Kennaway, Damien Justin Morgan

Terrorist offences - conspiracy to murder, possession of firearms with intent and false imprisonment - court should decide appropriate sentence without reference to questions of remission or parole - deterrent sentences for terrorist offences.

R V Glennon & Others 030395 MacDermott LJ

27 January 1995

R v Clive Jones

Possession of unauthorised firearm without certificate - army sergeant - gun enthusiast - whether prison sentence appropriate irrespective of whether or not it is to be suspended.

R v Jones 270195 Hutton LCJ