Armed Forces Act 2006

General sentencing principles U.K.

237 Duty to have regard to purposes of sentencing etc U.K.

(1) A court or officer dealing with an offender for a service offence must have regard to the following purposes of sentencing—

(a) the punishment of offenders;

(b) the maintenance of discipline;

(c) the reduction of service offences and other crime (including reduction by deterrence);

(d) the reform and rehabilitation of offenders;

(e) the protection of the public;

(f) the making of reparation by offenders to persons affected by their offences.

(2) If the offender is aged under 18 the court or officer must also have regard to his welfare.

(3) This section does not apply in relation to—

(a) an offence the sentence for which is fixed by law;

[F1 (b) an offence the sentence for which falls to be imposed under section 273(3) or 283(3) of the Sentencing Code as a result of section 218A(1B) or (2) (life sentence for second listed offence);

(ba) an offence the sentence for which falls to be imposed under section 274(3) or 285(3) of the Sentencing Code as a result of section 219(1A) or (2) (life sentence for certain dangerous offenders aged 18 or over);

(bb) an offence the sentence for which falls to be imposed under section 258(2) of the Sentencing Code as a result of section 221(2) (life sentence for certain dangerous offenders aged under 18);

(bc) an offence the sentence for which falls to be imposed under [F2 section 313(2A)] of the Sentencing Code as a result of section 225(2) (third drug trafficking offence);

(bd) an offence the sentence for which falls to be imposed under [F3 section 314(2A)] of the Sentencing Code as a result of section 226(2) (third domestic burglary);

(be) an offence the sentence for which falls to be imposed under section 311(2) of the Sentencing Code as a result of section 227(2) (firearms offences);]

(c) an offence the sentence for which falls to be imposed under section [F4 227A(1A) or (2) (threatening with a weapon in public or on school premises)].

(4) In this section “sentencing” includes the making of any order when dealing with an offender in respect of his offence.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 237(3)(b)-(be) substituted for s. 237(3)(b) (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 25 para. 52(a) (with s. 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

F2 Words in s. 237(3)(bc) substituted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), s. 208(5)(k), Sch. 12 para. 6(a) (with s. 124(11)(12))

F3 Words in s. 237(3)(bd) substituted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), s. 208(5)(k), Sch. 12 para. 6(b) (with s. 124(11)(12))

F4 Words in s. 237(3)(c) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 25 para. 52(b) (with s. 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 237 modified in part (1.12.2020 immediately before the consolidation date (see 2020 c. 9, ss. 3, 5(2)(3) and 2020 c. 17, ss. 2, 416)) by Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Act 2020 (c. 9), ss. 1, 5(2)(3) (with s. 5(9)); S.I. 2012/1236, reg. 2

Commencement Information

I1 S. 237 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I2 S. 237 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

238 Deciding the seriousness of an offence U.K.

(1) A court or officer dealing with an offender for a service offence (“the current offence”) must in considering the seriousness of the offence—

(a) consider the offender's culpability in committing the offence and any harm which the offence caused, was intended to cause or could foreseeably have caused;

(b) if the offender has one or more previous convictions, treat as an aggravating factor each previous conviction that the court or officer considers can reasonably be so treated;

(c) if the offender committed the current offence while—

(i) charged with another service offence and released from service custody, or

(ii) on bail,

treat the fact that it was committed in those circumstances as an aggravating factor.

(2) In considering whether a previous conviction can reasonably be treated as an aggravating factor the court or officer must have regard (in particular) to—

(a) the nature of the offence to which the conviction relates and its relevance to the current offence; and

(b) the time that has elapsed since the conviction.

(3) Any reference in subsection (1) or (2) to a previous conviction is to be read as a reference to—

(a) a previous conviction of a service offence; F5 ... [F6 or]

(b) a previous conviction by a court in the British Islands of an offence other than a service offence.

F7 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F8 (4) Nothing in this section prevents the court or officer from treating a previous conviction by a court outside the British Islands as an aggravating factor in any case where the court or officer considers it appropriate to do so.]

F9 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F10 (6) In section 69 of the Sentencing Code (seriousness of offence with terrorist connection)—

(a) the references to a court are to be read as including a court dealing with an offender for an offence under section 42, and

(b) the reference in subsection (1) to an offence specified in Schedule 1 to that Code is to be read as a reference to an offence under section 42 as respects which the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales is an offence specified in Schedule 1.]

[F11 (7) In section 69A of the Sentencing Code (seriousness of offence where foreign power condition met)—

(a) the references in that section to a court are to be read as including a court dealing with an offender for a service offence, and

(b) the reference in subsection (1)(b) to an offence which is not an offence listed in subsection (2) is to be taken as a reference to an offence under section 42 as respects which the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales is not an offence so listed.]

Textual Amendments

F5 Word in s. 238(3)(a) repealed (15.8.2010) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(5), Sch. 17 para. 7(2)(a), Sch. 23 Pt. 5 (with s. 180, Sch. 22 para. 42); S.I. 2010/1858, art. 3(d)(iii)

F6 Word in s. 238(3)(a) inserted (13.11.2023) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), ss. 17(2)(a)(i), 24(1); S.I. 2023/1102, reg. 4

F7 S. 238(3)(c)(d) omitted (13.11.2023) by virtue of Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), ss. 17(2)(a)(ii), 24(1); S.I. 2023/1102, reg. 4

F8 S. 238(4) substituted (13.11.2023) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), ss. 17(2)(b), 24(1); S.I. 2023/1102, reg. 4

F9 S. 238(5) omitted (13.11.2023) by virtue of Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), ss. 17(2)(c), 24(1); S.I. 2023/1102, reg. 4

F10 S. 238(6) inserted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 25 para. 53 (with s. 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

F11 S. 238(7) inserted (20.12.2023) by National Security Act 2023 (c. 32), ss. 22, 100(1) (with s. 97); S.I. 2023/1272, reg. 2(a)

Commencement Information

I3 S. 238 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I4 S. 238 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

239 Reduction in sentences for guilty pleas U.K.

(1) This section applies where an offender—

(a) has pleaded guilty to a service offence in proceedings before a court; or

(b) at a summary hearing in respect of a service offence, has admitted the offence.

(2) In determining what sentence to pass on the offender, the court or officer dealing with him for his offence must take into account—

(a) the stage in the proceedings for the offence at which he indicated his intention to plead guilty or his intention to admit the offence at a summary hearing; and

(b) the circumstances in which this indication was given.

(3) In subsection (2) “sentence” includes any order made when dealing with the offender in respect of his offence.

(4) Subsection (5) applies in the case of an offence the sentence for which, as a result of section 225(2) or 226(2) of this Act (required custodial sentences), falls to be imposed under [F12 section 313(2A) or 314(2A)] [F13 of the Sentencing Code].

(5) Nothing in [F14 section 313(2A) or 314(2A)] [F15 of that Code] prevents the court, after taking into account any matter mentioned in subsection (2) above, from imposing any sentence which is at least 80% of that specified in [F14 section 313(2A) or 314(2A)] [F15 of that Code].

[F16 (6) Nothing in section [F17 227A(1A) or (2)] prevents the court, after taking into account any matter mentioned in subsection (2) of this section, from imposing any sentence which is at least 80% of that specified in section [F17 227A(1A) or (2)].]

Textual Amendments

F12 Words in s. 239(4) substituted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), s. 208(5)(k), Sch. 12 para. 7(2) (with s. 124(11)(12))

F13 Words in s. 239(4) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 25 para. 54(a) (with s. 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

F14 Words in s. 239(5) substituted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), s. 208(5)(k), Sch. 12 para. 7(3) (with s. 124(11)(12))

F15 Words in s. 239(5) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 25 para. 54(b) (with s. 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

F16 S. 239(6) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 26 para. 26; S.I. 2012/2770, art. 2(f)

F17 Words in s. 239(6) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 25 para. 54(c) (with s. 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 239(6) modified (1.12.2020 immediately before the consolidation date (see 2020 c. 9, ss. 3, 5(2)(3) and 2020 c. 17, ss. 2, 416)) by Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Act 2020 (c. 9), ss. 1, 5(2)(3) (with s. 5(9)); S.I. 2012/1236, reg. 2

Commencement Information

I5 S. 239 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I6 S. 239 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

240 Increase in sentence for racial or religious aggravation U.K.

(1) This section applies where a court or officer dealing with an offender for a service offence (other than an offence mentioned in subsection (3)) is considering the seriousness of the offence.

(2) If the offence was racially or religiously aggravated the court or officer—

(a) must treat that fact as an aggravating factor; and

(b) must state in open court that the offence was so aggravated.

(3) This section does not apply in relation to an offence under section 42 as respects which the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales is an offence under any of sections 29 to 32 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c. 37) (racially or religiously aggravated assaults, criminal damage, public order offences and harassment etc).

(4) Section 28 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (meaning of “racially or religiously aggravated”) applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of sections 29 to 32 of that Act.

Commencement Information

I7 S. 240 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I8 S. 240 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

241 Increase in sentence for aggravation related to disability [F18 , sexual orientation or transgender identity] U.K.

(1) This section applies where a court or officer dealing with an offender for a service offence within subsection (2) is considering the seriousness of the offence.

(2) A service offence is within this subsection if—

(a) at the time of committing the offence, or immediately before or after doing so, the offender demonstrated towards the victim of the offence hostility based on—

(i) the sexual orientation (or presumed sexual orientation) of the victim; F19 ...

(ii) a disability (or presumed disability) of the victim; or

[F20 (iii) the victim being (or being presumed to be) transgender, or]

(b) the offence is motivated (wholly or partly)—

(i) by hostility towards persons who are of a particular sexual orientation; F21 ...

(ii) by hostility towards persons who have a disability or a particular disability [F22 , or

(iii) by hostility towards persons who are transgender.]

(3) The court or officer—

(a) must treat as an aggravating factor the fact that the offence was committed in any of the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (2); and

(b) must state in open court that the offence was committed in such circumstances.

(4) It is immaterial for the purposes of paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (2) whether the offender's hostility is also based to any extent on any other factor not mentioned in that paragraph.

(5) In this section “disability” means any physical or mental impairment.

[F23 (6) In this section references to being transgender include references to being transsexual, or undergoing, proposing to undergo or having undergone a process or part of a process of gender reassignment.]

Textual Amendments

F18 Words in s. 241 heading substituted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 65(11), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

F19 Word in s. 241(2)(a) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 65(12)(a), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

F20 S. 241(2)(a)(iii) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 65(12)(b), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

F21 Word in s. 241(2)(b) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 65(13)(a), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

F22 S. 241(2)(b)(iii) and word inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 65(13)(b), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

F23 S. 241(6) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 65(14), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

Commencement Information

I9 S. 241 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I10 S. 241 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4