196 Sentence following guilty plea.S
[F1(1)] In determining what sentence to pass on, or what other disposal or order to make in relation to, an offender who has pled guilty to an offence, a court [F2shall] 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 that indication was given.
[F3(1A)In passing sentence on an offender referred to in subsection (1) above, the court shall—
(a)state whether, having taken account of the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of that subsection, the sentence imposed in respect of the offence is different from that which the court would otherwise have imposed; and
(b)if it is not, state reasons why it is not.]
[F4(2)Where the court is passing sentence on an offender under section 205B(2) of this Act and that offender has pled guilty to the offence for which he is being so sentenced, the court may, after taking into account the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) above, pass a sentence of less than seven years imprisonment or, as the case may be, detention but any such sentence shall not be of a term of imprisonment or period of detention of less than five years, two hundred and nineteen days.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 196 renumbered as s. 196(1) (20.10.1997) by 1997 c. 48, s. 2(2)(a); S.I. 1997/2323, art. 3, Sch. 1
F2Word in s. 196(1) substituted (4.10.2004) by Criminal Procedure (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 5), ss. 20(2), 27(1); S.S.I. 2004/405, art. 2, Sch. 1 (subject to savings in arts. 3-5)
F3S. 196(1A) inserted (4.10.2004) by Criminal Procedure (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 5), ss. 20(3), 27(1); S.S.I. 2004/405, art. 2, Sch. 1 (subject to savings in arts. 3-5)
F4S. 196(2) inserted (20.10.1997) by 1997 c. 48, s. 2(2)(b); S.I. 1997/2323, art. 3, Sch. 1