C3Part 12Sentencing

Annotations:
Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Chapter 5Dangerous offenders

I1C1C2225Life sentence or imprisonment for public protection for serious offences

1

This section applies where—

a

a person aged 18 or over is convicted of a serious offence committed after the commencement of this section, and

b

the court is of the opinion that there is a significant risk to members of the public of serious harm occasioned by the commission by him of further specified offences.

2

If—

a

the offence is one in respect of which the offender would apart from this section be liable to imprisonment for life, and

b

the court considers that the seriousness of the offence, or of the offence and one or more offences associated with it, is such as to justify the imposition of a sentence of imprisonment for life,

the court must impose a sentence of imprisonment for life.

3

In a case not falling within subsection (2), the court must impose a sentence of imprisonment for public protection.

4

A sentence of imprisonment for public protection is a sentence of imprisonment for an indeterminate period, subject to the provisions of Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (c. 43) as to the release of prisoners and duration of licences.

5

An offence the sentence for which is imposed under this section is not to be regarded as an offence the sentence for which is fixed by law.