Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000

153 Increase in sentences for racial aggravation

(1) This section applies where a court is considering the seriousness of an offence other than one under sections 29 to 32 of the [1998 c. 37.] Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (racially-aggravated assaults, racially-aggravated criminal damage, racially-aggravated public order offences and racially-aggravated harassment etc.).

(2) If the offence was racially aggravated, the court—

(a) shall treat that fact as an aggravating factor (that is to say, a factor that increases the seriousness of the offence); and

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

(3) Section 28 of the [1998 c. 37.] Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (meaning of “racially aggravated”) applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of sections 29 to 32 of that Act.