Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015

PART 1 U.K. Sentence and release

Introduction U.K.

1 U.K. The Criminal Justice Act 2003 is amended as follows.

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 1 para. 1 in force at 13.4.2015 by S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 72

Sentence U.K.

2 U.K. After Chapter 5 of Part 12 (sentencing) insert—

“CHAPTER 5A U.K. Other offenders of particular concern

236A Special custodial sentence for certain offenders of particular concern

(1) Subsection (2) applies where—

(a) a person is convicted of an offence listed in Schedule 18A (whether the offence was committed before or after this section comes into force),

(b) the person was aged 18 or over when the offence was committed, and

(c) the court does not impose one of the following for the offence—

(i) a sentence of imprisonment for life, or

(ii) an extended sentence under section 226A.

(2) If the court imposes a sentence of imprisonment for the offence, the term of the sentence must be equal to the aggregate of—

(a) the appropriate custodial term, and

(b) a further period of 1 year for which the offender is to be subject to a licence.

(3) The “appropriate custodial term” is the term that, in the opinion of the court, ensures that the sentence is appropriate.

(4) The term of a sentence of imprisonment imposed under this section for an offence must not exceed the term that, at the time the offence was committed, was the maximum term permitted for the offence.

(5) The references in subsections (1)(c) and (2) to a sentence imposed for the offence include a sentence imposed for the offence and one or more offences associated with it.

(6) The Secretary of State may by order amend Schedule 18A by—

(a) adding offences, or

(b) varying or omitting offences listed in the Schedule.

(7) An order under subsection (6) may, in particular, make provision that applies in relation to the sentencing of a person for an offence committed before the provision comes into force.”

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 1 para. 2 in force at 13.4.2015 by S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 72

3 U.K. In section 330(5)(a) (orders subject to affirmative procedure), at the appropriate place insert— “ section 236A(6), ”.

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 1 para. 3 in force at 13.4.2015 by S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 72

Offences of particular concern U.K.

4 U.K. After Schedule 18 insert—

Section 236A

“SCHEDULE 18A U.K. Sentence under section 236A: offences

Terrorism offences U.K.

1 An offence under section 4 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 (soliciting murder) that has a terrorist connection.

2 An offence under section 28 of that Act (causing bodily injury by explosives) that has a terrorist connection.

3 An offence under section 29 of that Act (using explosives etc with intent to do grievous bodily harm) that has a terrorist connection.

4 An offence under section 2 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883 (causing explosion likely to endanger life or property) that has a terrorist connection.

5 An offence under section 3 of that Act (attempt to cause explosion, or making or keeping explosive with intent to endanger life or property) that has a terrorist connection.

6 An offence under section 4 of that Act (making or possession of explosive under suspicious circumstances) that has a terrorist connection.

7 An offence under section 54 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (weapons training).

8 An offence under section 56 of that Act (directing terrorist organisation).

9 An offence under section 57 of that Act (possession of article for terrorist purposes).

10 An offence under section 59 of that Act (inciting terrorism overseas).

11 An offence under section 47 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (use etc of nuclear weapons).

12 An offence under section 50 of that Act (assisting or inducing certain weapons-related acts overseas).

13 An offence under section 113 of that Act (use of noxious substance or thing to cause harm or intimidate).

14 An offence under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006 (preparation of terrorist acts).

15 An offence under section 6 of that Act (training for terrorism).

16 An offence under section 9 of that Act (making or possession of radioactive device or material).

17 An offence under section 10 of that Act (use of radioactive device or material for terrorist purposes etc).

18 An offence under section 11 of that Act (terrorist threats relating to radioactive devices etc).

Sexual offences U.K.

19 An offence under section 5 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (rape of a child under 13).

20 An offence under section 6 of that Act (assault of a child under 13 by penetration).

Accessories and inchoate offences U.K.

21 (1) Aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of an offence specified in the preceding paragraphs of this Schedule (a “relevant offence”).

(2) An attempt to commit a relevant offence.

(3) Conspiracy to commit a relevant offence.

(4) An offence under Part 2 of the Serious Crime Act 2007 in relation to which a relevant offence is the offence (or one of the offences) which the person intended or believed would be committed.

22 An offence in the following list that has a terrorist connection—

(a) an attempt to commit murder,

(b) conspiracy to commit murder, and

(c) an offence under Part 2 of the Serious Crime Act 2007 in relation to which murder is the offence (or one of the offences) which the person intended or believed would be committed.

Abolished offences U.K.

23 An offence that—

(a) was abolished before the coming into force of section 236A, and

(b) if committed on the day on which the offender was convicted of the offence, would have constituted an offence specified in the preceding paragraphs of this Schedule.

Meaning of “terrorist connection” U.K.

24 For the purposes of this Schedule, an offence has a terrorist connection if a court has determined under section 30 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 that the offence has such a connection.”

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 1 para. 4 in force at 13.4.2015 by S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 72

Release on licence to be directed by Parole Board U.K.

5 U.K. In section 244(1) (duty to release prisoners), after “243A” insert “ , 244A ”.

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 1 para. 5 in force at 13.4.2015 by S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 72

6 U.K. After section 244 insert—

“244A Release on licence of prisoners serving sentence under section 236A

(1) This section applies to a prisoner (“P”) who is serving a sentence imposed under section 236A.

(2) The Secretary of State must refer P's case to the Board—

(a) as soon as P has served the requisite custodial period, and

(b) where there has been a previous reference of P's case to the Board under this subsection and the Board did not direct P's release, not later than the second anniversary of the disposal of that reference.

(3) It is the duty of the Secretary of State to release P on licence under this section as soon as—

(a) P has served the requisite custodial period, and

(b) the Board has directed P's release under this section.

(4) The Board must not give a direction under subsection (3) unless—

(a) the Secretary of State has referred P's case to the Board, and

(b) the Board is satisfied that it is not necessary for the protection of the public that P should be confined.

(5) It is the duty of the Secretary of State to release P on licence under this section as soon as P has served the appropriate custodial term, unless P has previously been released on licence under this section and recalled under section 254 (provision for the release of such persons being made by sections 255A to 255C).

(6) For the purposes of this section—

• “the appropriate custodial term” means the term determined as such by the court under section 236A;

• “the requisite custodial period” means—

  (a)

  in relation to a person serving one sentence, one-half of the appropriate custodial term, and

  (b)

  in relation to a person serving two or more concurrent or consecutive sentences, the period determined under sections 263(2) and 264(2).”

Commencement Information

I6 Sch. 1 para. 6 in force at 13.4.2015 by S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 72

7 (1) Section 246 (power to release prisoners on licence before required to do so) is amended as follows. U.K.

(2) In subsection (4)(a) (disapplication of power), for “or 228” substitute “ , 228 or 236A ”.

(3) In subsection (6), in the definition of “term of imprisonment” for “or 228” substitute “ , 228 or 236A ”.

Commencement Information

I7 Sch. 1 para. 7 in force at 13.4.2015 by S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 72