144Reduction in sentences for guilty pleasE+W
(1)In determining what sentence to pass on an offender who has pleaded guilty to an offence in proceedings before that or another court, a court must 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)In the case of [F1an offender who—
(a)is convicted of an offence the sentence for which falls to be imposed under a provision mentioned in subsection (3), and
(b)is aged 18 or over when convicted,
nothing] in [F2that provision] prevents the court, after taking into account any matter referred to in subsection (1) of this section, from imposing any sentence which is not less than 80 per cent of that specified in [F2that provision].
[F3(3)The provisions referred to in subsection (2) are—
[F4section 1(2B) or 1A(5)] of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953;
section 110(2) of the Sentencing Act;
section 111(2) of the Sentencing Act;
[F5section 139(6B), 139A(5B) or 139AA(7)] of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
(4)In the case of [F6an offender who—
(a)is convicted of an offence the sentence for which falls to be imposed under a provision mentioned in subsection (5), and
(b)is aged 16 or 17 when convicted,
nothing] in that provision prevents the court from imposing any sentence that it considers appropriate after taking into account any matter referred to in subsection (1) of this section.
(5)The provisions referred to in subsection (4) are—
[F7section 1(2B) or 1A(5)] of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953;
[F8section 139(6B), 139A(5B) or 139AA(7)] of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 144(2) substituted (17.7.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 5 para. 12(2); S.I. 2015/1463, art. 2(b)
F2Words in s. 144(2) substituted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 26 para. 18(2)(b); S.I. 2012/2770, art. 2(f)
F3S. 144(3)-(5) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 26 para. 18(3); S.I. 2012/2770, art. 2(f)
F4Words in s. 144(3) substituted (17.7.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 5 para. 12(3)(a); S.I. 2015/1463, art. 2(b)
F5Words in s. 144(3) substituted (17.7.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 5 para. 12(3)(b); S.I. 2015/1463, art. 2(b)
F6Words in s. 144(4) substituted (17.7.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 5 para. 12(4); S.I. 2015/1463, art. 2(b)
F7Words in s. 144(5) substituted (17.7.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 5 para. 12(5)(a); S.I. 2015/1463, art. 2(b)
F8Words in s. 144(5) substituted (17.7.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 5 para. 12(5)(b); S.I. 2015/1463, art. 2(b)
Commencement Information
I1S. 144 wholly in force at 4.4.2005, see s. 336(3) and S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 7 (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)