Sentencing Act 2020

Starting points

4 (1) If—

(a) the case does not fall within paragraph 2(1) or 3(1),

(b) the offence falls within sub-paragraph (2), and

(c) the offender was aged 18 or over when the offence was committed,

(d) the offence was committed on or after 2 March 2010,

the offence is normally to be regarded as sufficiently serious for the appropriate starting point, in determining the minimum term, to be 25 years.

(2) The offence falls within this sub-paragraph if the offender took a knife or other weapon to the scene intending to—

(a) commit any offence, or

(b) have it available to use as a weapon,

and used that knife or other weapon in committing the murder.