Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17)

THIRD GROUP OF PARTS U.K. Disposals

PART 10 U.K. Custodial sentences

CHAPTER 7 E+W Minimum sentences for particular offences

Minimum sentence for single offence E+W

311 Minimum sentence for certain offences involving firearms that are prohibited weapons E+W

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a person is convicted of an offence listed in Schedule 20 (certain offences involving firearms that are prohibited weapons), and

(b) the offender was aged 16 or over when the offence was committed.

(2) The court must impose an appropriate custodial sentence for a term of at least the required minimum term unless the court is of the opinion that there are exceptional circumstances which—

(a) relate to the offence or to the offender, and

(b) justify not doing so.

(3) In this section “appropriate custodial sentence” means—

(a) in the case of a person who is aged under 18 when convicted, a sentence of detention under section 250 [F1 or, in a case to which section 252A applies, under that section];

(b) in the case of a person who is aged 18 or over but under 21 when convicted, a sentence of detention in a young offender institution (and includes, if the offence is an offence for which a person aged 21 or over would be liable to imprisonment for life, a sentence of custody for life);

(c) in the case of a person who is aged 21 or over when convicted, a sentence of imprisonment.

(4) In this section “the required minimum term” means—

(a) in the case of an offender who was aged under 18 when the offence was committed, 3 years;

(b) in the case of an offender who was aged 18 or over when the offence was committed, 5 years.

But this is subject to subsection (5).

(5) In the case of an offence within paragraph 5 of Schedule 20, “the required minimum term” means—

(a) in the case of an offender who was aged under 18 when convicted, 3 years;

(b) in the case of an offender who was aged 18 or over when convicted, 5 years.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 311(3) inserted (30.4.2021) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(1)(i), Sch. 13 para. 26(20)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 311 power to apply (with modifications) conferred by 1988 c. 45, s. 1(4B) (as inserted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 94(3) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2)

C2 S. 311 applied (with modifications) by 2006 c. 52, s. 227 (as amended (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 25 para. 48(3) (with s. 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 311 in force at 1.12.2020 by S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

312 Minimum sentence for offences of threatening with weapon or bladed article E+W

(1) This section applies where a person aged 16 or over is convicted of an offence under—

(a) section 1A of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 (offence of threatening with offensive weapon in public), or

(b) section 139AA of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (offence of threatening with article with blade or point or offensive weapon).

(2) [F2 If the offence was committed before the day on which section 124 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 came into force, the court] must impose an appropriate custodial sentence unless the court is of the opinion that there are particular circumstances which—

(a) relate to the offence or to the offender, and

(b) would make it unjust to do so in all the circumstances.

[F3 (2A) If the offence was committed on or after the day on which section 124 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 came into force, the court must impose an appropriate custodial sentence unless the court is of the opinion that there are exceptional circumstances which—

(a) relate to the offence or to the offender, and

(b) justify not doing so.]

(3) In this section “appropriate custodial sentence” means—

(a) in the case of a person who is aged 16 or over but under 18 when convicted, a detention and training order of at least 4 months;

(b) in the case of a person who is aged 18 or over but under 21 when convicted, a sentence of detention in a young offender institution for a term of at least 6 months;

(c) in the case of a person who is aged 21 or over when convicted, a sentence of imprisonment for a term of at least 6 months.

[F4 (4) This section is subject to section 252A.]

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in s. 312(2) substituted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 124(2)(a), 208(5)(k)

F3 S. 312(2A) inserted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 124(2)(b), 208(5)(k)

F4 S. 312(4) inserted (30.4.2021) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(1)(i), Sch. 13 para. 26(21)

Commencement Information

I2 S. 312 in force at 1.12.2020 by S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2