PART IITREATMENT OF OFFENDERS

Miscellaneous

Reduction in sentences for guilty pleas33

1

In determining what sentence to pass on an offender who has pleaded guilty to an offence a court shall take into account—

a

the stage in the proceedings for the offence at which the offender indicated his intention to plead guilty, and

b

the circumstances in which this indication was given.

2

If, as a result of taking into account any matter referred to in paragraph (1), the court imposes a punishment on the offender which is less severe than the punishment it would otherwise have imposed, it shall state in open court that it has done so.