Sentencing Act 2020

Aggravating factors E+W

64 Offence committed on bail E+W

In considering the seriousness of an offence committed while the offender was on bail, the court must—

(a) treat the fact that it was committed in those circumstances as an aggravating factor, and

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

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 64 modified by S.I. 2009/1042, reg. 9A (as inserted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 398 (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 64 in force at 1.12.2020 by S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

65 Previous convictions E+W

(1) This section applies where a court is considering the seriousness of an offence (“the current offence”) committed by an offender who has one or more relevant previous convictions.

(2) The court must treat as an aggravating factor each relevant previous conviction that it considers can reasonably be so treated, having regard in particular to—

(a) the nature of the offence to which the relevant previous conviction relates and its relevance to the current offence, and

(b) the time that has elapsed since the relevant previous conviction.

(3) Where the court treats a relevant previous conviction as an aggravating factor under subsection (2) it must state in open court that the offence is so aggravated.

(4) In subsections (1) to (3) “relevant previous conviction” means—

(a) a previous conviction by a court in the United Kingdom, [F1 or]

F2 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) a previous conviction of a service offence (see subsection (5)), F3 ...

F3 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F4 (4A) If the proceedings for the current offence were instituted before IP completion day (see section 397(5)), “relevant previous conviction” in subsections (1) to (3) also includes—

(a) a previous conviction of a relevant offence under the law of a member State by a court in that State, and

(b) a finding of guilt in respect of a member State service offence (see subsection (6)).]

(5) In subsection (4)(c) (previous convictions of service offences)—

(a) “conviction” includes anything that under section 376(1) and (2) of the Armed Forces Act 2006 is to be treated as a conviction (which relates to summary hearings and the Summary Appeal Court);

(b) “service offence” means—

(i) a service offence within the meaning of the Armed Forces Act 2006, or

(ii) an SDA offence within the meaning of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions etc) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1059);

(c) the previous convictions referred to are to be taken to include a previous finding of guilt in—

(i) proceedings under the Army Act 1955, the Air Force Act 1955 or the Naval Discipline Act 1957 (whether before a court-martial or any other court or person authorised under any of those Acts to award a punishment in respect of any offence), or

(ii) proceedings before a Standing Civilian Court established under section 6 of the Armed Forces Act 1976.

(6) In subsection [F5 (4A)(b)] “member State service offence” means an offence which—

(a) was the subject of proceedings under the service law of a member State other than the United Kingdom, and

(b) would constitute an offence under the law of any part of the United Kingdom, or a service offence (within the meaning of the Armed Forces Act 2006), if it were done in any part of the United Kingdom, by a member of Her Majesty's forces, at the time of the conviction of the offender for the current offence,

and, for this purpose—

• “Her Majesty's forces” has the same meaning as in the Armed Forces Act 2006;

• “service law”, in relation to a member State other than the United Kingdom, means the law governing all or any of the naval, military or air forces of that State.

(7) For the purposes of this section, an offence is “relevant” if the offence would constitute an offence under the law of any part of the United Kingdom if it were done in that part at the time of the conviction of the offender for the current offence.

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in s. 65(4)(a) inserted (31.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 417(9), Sch. 22 para. 86(2)(a) (with Sch. 27)

F2 S. 65(4)(b) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 417(9), Sch. 22 para. 86(2)(b) (with Sch. 27)

F3 S. 65(4)(d) and word omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 417(9), Sch. 22 para. 86(2)(c) (with Sch. 27)

F4 S. 65(4A) inserted (31.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), Sch. 22 para. 86(3) (as substituted by The Taking Account of Convictions (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1520), regs. 1(1), 5(2))

F5 Word in s. 65(6) substituted (31.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), Sch. 22 para. 86(3A) (as substituted by The Taking Account of Convictions (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1520), regs. 1(1), 5(2))

Commencement Information

I2 S. 65 in force at 1.12.2020 by S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

66 Hostility E+W

(1) This section applies where a court is considering the seriousness of an offence which is aggravated by—

(a) racial hostility,

(b) religious hostility,

(c) hostility related to disability,

(d) hostility related to sexual orientation, or

(e) hostility related to transgender identity.

This is subject to subsection (3).

(2) The court—

(a) must treat the fact that the offence is aggravated by hostility of any of those types as an aggravating factor, and

(b) must state in open court that the offence is so aggravated.

(3) So far as it relates to racial and religious hostility, this section does not apply in relation to an offence under sections 29 to 32 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (racially or religiously aggravated offences).

(4) For the purposes of this section, an offence is aggravated by hostility of one of the kinds mentioned in subsection (1) if—

(a) at the time of committing the offence, or immediately before or after doing so, the offender demonstrated towards the victim of the offence hostility based on—

(i) the victim's membership (or presumed membership) of a racial group,

(ii) the victim's membership (or presumed membership) of a religious group,

(iii) a disability (or presumed disability) of the victim,

(iv) the sexual orientation (or presumed sexual orientation) of the victim, or (as the case may be)

(v) the victim being (or being presumed to be) transgender, or

(b) the offence was motivated (wholly or partly) by—

(i) hostility towards members of a racial group based on their membership of that group,

(ii) hostility towards members of a religious group based on their membership of that group,

(iii) hostility towards persons who have a disability or a particular disability,

(iv) hostility towards persons who are of a particular sexual orientation, or (as the case may be)

(v) hostility towards persons who are transgender.

(5) For the purposes of paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (4), it is immaterial whether or not the offender's hostility is also based, to any extent, on any other factor not mentioned in that paragraph.

(6) In this section—

(a) references to a racial group are to a group of persons defined by reference to race, colour, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origins;

(b) references to a religious group are to a group of persons defined by reference to religious belief or lack of religious belief;

(c) “membership” in relation to a racial or religious group, includes association with members of that group;

(d) “disability” means any physical or mental impairment;

(e) references to being transgender include references to being transsexual, or undergoing, proposing to undergo or having undergone a process or part of a process of gender reassignment;

(f) “presumed” means presumed by the offender.

Commencement Information

I3 S. 66 in force at 1.12.2020 by S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

67 Assaults on emergency workers E+W

(1) This section applies where a court is considering the seriousness of an offence listed in subsection (3).

(2) If the offence was committed against an emergency worker acting in the exercise of functions as such a worker, the court—

(a) must treat that fact as an aggravating factor, and

(b) must state in open court that the offence is so aggravated.

(3) The offences referred to in subsection (1) are—

(a) an offence under any of the following provisions of the Offences against the Person Act 1861—

(i) section 16 (threats to kill);

(ii) section 18 (wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm);

(iii) section 20 (malicious wounding);

(iv) section 23 (administering poison etc);

(v) section 28 (causing bodily injury by explosives);

(vi) section 29 (using explosives etc with intent to do grievous bodily harm);

(vii) section 47 (assault occasioning actual bodily harm);

[F6 (aa) an offence under section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015 (strangulation or suffocation);]

(b) an offence under section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (sexual assault);

(c) manslaughter;

(d) kidnapping;

(e) an inchoate offence in relation to any of the preceding offences.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (2) the circumstances in which an offence is to be taken as committed against a person acting in the exercise of functions as an emergency worker include circumstances where the offence takes place at a time when the person is not at work but is carrying out functions which, if done in work time, would have been in the exercise of functions as an emergency worker.

(5) In this section, “emergency worker” has the meaning given by section 68.

(6) Nothing in this section prevents a court from treating the fact that an offence was committed against an emergency worker acting in the exercise of functions as such as an aggravating factor in relation to offences not listed in subsection (3).

Textual Amendments

F6 S. 67(3)(aa) inserted (7.6.2022) by Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (c. 17), s. 90(6), Sch. 2 para. 12(2); S.I. 2022/553, regs. 1(2), 3(b)

Commencement Information

I4 S. 67 in force at 1.12.2020 by S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

68 Emergency workers for the purposes of section 67 E+W

(1) In section 67, “emergency worker” means—

(a) a constable;

(b) a person (other than a constable) who has the powers of a constable or is otherwise employed for police purposes or is engaged to provide services for police purposes;

(c) a National Crime Agency officer;

(d) a prison officer;

(e) a person (other than a prison officer) employed or engaged to carry out functions in a custodial institution of a corresponding kind to those carried out by a prison officer;

(f) a prisoner custody officer, so far as relating to the exercise of escort functions;

(g) a custody officer, so far as relating to the exercise of escort functions;

(h) a person employed for the purposes of providing, or engaged to provide, fire services or fire and rescue services;

(i) a person employed for the purposes of providing, or engaged to provide, search services or rescue services (or both);

(j) a person employed for the purposes of providing, or engaged to provide—

(i) NHS health services, or

(ii) services in the support of the provision of NHS health services,

and whose general activities in doing so involve face to face interaction with individuals receiving the services or with other members of the public.

(2) It is immaterial for the purposes of subsection (1) whether the employment or engagement is paid or unpaid.

(3) In this section—

• “custodial institution” means any of the following—

  (a)

  a prison;

  (b)

  a young offender institution, secure training centre or secure college;

  (c)

  a removal centre, a short-term holding facility or pre-departure accommodation, as defined by section 147 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;

  (d)

  services custody premises, as defined by section 300(7) of the Armed Forces Act 2006;

• “custody officer” has the meaning given by section 12(3) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994;

• “escort functions”—

  (a)

  in the case of a prisoner custody officer, means the functions specified in section 80(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991;

  (b)

  in the case of a custody officer, means the functions specified in paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994;

• “NHS health services” means any kind of health services provided as part of the health service continued under section 1(1) of the National Health Service Act 2006 and under section 1(1) of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006;

• “prisoner custody officer” has the meaning given by section 89(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

Commencement Information

I5 S. 68 in force at 1.12.2020 by S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

[F7 68A Assaults on those providing a public service etc E+W

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a court is considering the seriousness of an offence listed in subsection (3), and

(b) the offence is not aggravated under section 67(2).

(2) If the offence was committed against a person providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing services to the public, the court—

(a) must treat that fact as an aggravating factor, and

(b) must state in open court that the offence is so aggravated.

(3) The offences referred to in subsection (1) are—

(a) an offence of common assault or battery, except where section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 applies;

(b) an offence under any of the following provisions of the Offences against the Person Act 1861—

(i) section 16 (threats to kill);

(ii) section 18 (wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm);

(iii) section 20 (malicious wounding);

(iv) section 47 (assault occasioning actual bodily harm);

(c) an inchoate offence in relation to any of the preceding offences.

(4) In this section—

(a) a reference to providing services to the public includes a reference to providing goods or facilities to the public;

(b) a reference to the public includes a reference to a section of the public.

(5) Nothing in this section prevents a court from treating the fact that an offence was committed against a person providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing services to the public as an aggravating factor in relation to offences not listed in subsection (3).

(6) This section has effect in relation to a person who is convicted of the offence on or after the date on which section 156 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 comes into force.]

Textual Amendments

F7 S. 68A inserted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 156, 208(1); S.I. 2022/520, reg. 5(s)

69 Terrorist connection E+W

(1) This section applies where a court is considering the seriousness of an offence [F8 specified in Schedule 1 (offences where terrorist connection to be considered)] [F8 within subsection (4) or (5)].

(2) If the offence has a terrorist connection, the court—

(a) must treat that fact as an aggravating factor, and

(b) must state in open court that the offence is so aggravated.

(3) For the purposes of this section, an offence has a terrorist connection if the offence—

(a) is, or takes place in the course of, an act of terrorism, or

(b) is committed for the purposes of terrorism.

For this purpose, “terrorism” has the same meaning as in the Terrorism Act 2000 (see section 1 of that Act).

[F9 (4) An offence is within this subsection if it—

(a) was committed on or after the day on which section 1 of the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 came into force,

(b) is punishable on indictment with imprisonment for more than 2 years, and

(c) is not specified in Schedule A1.

(5) An offence is within this subsection if it—

(a) was committed before the day on which section 1 of the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 came into force, and

(b) is specified in Schedule 1.

(6) Where an offence is found to have been committed over a period of 2 or more days, or at some time during a period of 2 or more days, it must be taken for the purposes of subsections (4) and (5) to have been committed on the last of those days.]

Textual Amendments

F8 Words in s. 69(1) substituted (29.6.2021 for specified purposes) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), ss. 1(2)(a), 50(2)(a)(3)(a)

F9 S. 69(4)-(6) inserted (29.6.2021 for specified purposes) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), ss. 1(2)(b), 50(2)(a)(3)(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 69 modified by 2006 c. 52, s. 238(6) (as inserted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 25 para. 53 (with s. 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2)

Commencement Information

I6 S. 69 in force at 1.12.2020 by S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

[F10 69A Offences where foreign power condition met E+W

(1) This section applies where a court is considering the seriousness of an offence that—

(a) is committed on or after the day on which section 19 of the National Security Act 2023 comes into force, and

(b) is not an offence listed in subsection (2).

(2) Those offences are—

(a) an offence under the National Security Act 2023 or an inchoate offence (see section 398) in relation to any such offence;

(b) a relevant electoral offence within the meaning given by section 16 of that Act (foreign interference in elections).

(3) Where the foreign power condition is met in relation to the conduct that constitutes the offence, the court—

(a) must treat that fact as an aggravating factor, and

(b) must state in open court that the offence is so aggravated.

(4) Where an offence is found to have been committed over a period of 2 or more days, or at some time during a period of 2 or more days, it must be taken for the purposes of subsection (1) to have been committed on the first of those days.

(5) Section 31 of the National Security Act 2023 (meaning of foreign power condition) applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of Part 1 of that Act.]

Textual Amendments

F10 S. 69A inserted (20.12.2023) by National Security Act 2023 (c. 32), ss. 19(2), 100(1) (with s. 97); S.I. 2023/1272, reg. 2(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 S. 69A modified (20.12.2023) by 2006 c. 52, s. 238(7) (as inserted by National Security Act 2023 (c. 32), ss. 22, 100(1) (with s. 97); S.I. 2023/1272, reg. 2(a))

70 Using minor to mind weapon E+W

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a court is considering the seriousness of an offence under section 28 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (using someone to mind a weapon), and

(b) when the offence was committed—

(i) the offender was aged 18 or over, and

(ii) the person used to look after, hide or transport the weapon in question (“the person used”) was not.

(2) The court—

(a) must treat the fact that the person used was under the age of 18 when the offence was committed as an aggravating factor, and

(b) must state in open court that the offence is so aggravated.

(3) Subsection (4) applies where the offence is found to have involved the person used's having possession of a weapon, or being able to make it available—

(a) over a period of two or more days, or

(b) at some time during a period of two or more days.

(4) If, on a day during that period, sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) of subsection (1)(b) were both satisfied, they are to be treated as both being satisfied when the offence was committed.

Commencement Information

I7 S. 70 in force at 1.12.2020 by S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

71 Supply of controlled drug near school premises or involving child E+W

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a court is considering the seriousness of an offence under section 4(3) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (supplying controlled drug etc), and

(b) the offender was aged 18 or over when the offence was committed.

(2) If condition A or B is met, the court—

(a) must treat the fact that the condition is met as an aggravating factor, and

(b) must state in open court that the offence is so aggravated.

(3) Condition A is that the offence was committed on or in the vicinity of school premises at a relevant time.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3)—

• “relevant time”, in relation to school premises, is—

  (a)

  any time when the school premises are in use by persons under the age of 18;

  (b)

  one hour before the start and one hour after the end of any such time;

• “school” has the same meaning as it has in section 4A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971;

• “school premises” means land used for the purposes of a school excluding any land occupied solely as a dwelling by a person employed at the school.

(5) Condition B is that in connection with the commission of the offence the offender used a courier who, when the offence was committed, was aged under 18.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (5), a person uses a courier in connection with an offence under section 4(3) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 if the person causes or permits another person (“the courier”)—

(a) to deliver a controlled drug to a third person, or

(b) to deliver a drug-related consideration to the person or a third person.

(7) For the purposes of subsection (6), a drug-related consideration is a consideration of any description which—

(a) is obtained in connection with the supply of a controlled drug, or

(b) is intended to be used in connection with obtaining a controlled drug.

(8) In this section, “controlled drug” and “supply” have the same meanings as in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Commencement Information

I8 S. 71 in force at 1.12.2020 by S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

72 Supply of psychoactive substance in certain circumstances E+W

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a court is considering the seriousness of an offence under section 5 of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (supplying psychoactive substance etc), and

(b) the offender was aged 18 or over when the offence was committed.

(2) If condition A, B or C is met the court—

(a) must treat the fact that the condition is met as an aggravating factor, and

(b) must state in open court that the offence is so aggravated.

(3) Condition A is that the offence was committed on or in the vicinity of school premises at a relevant time.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3)—

• “relevant time”, in relation to school premises, means—

  (a)

  any time when the school premises are in use by persons under the age of 18;

  (b)

  one hour before the start and one hour after the end of any such time;

• “school” has the same meaning as in section 6 of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016;

• “school premises” means land used for the purposes of a school excluding any land occupied solely as a dwelling by a person employed at the school.

(5) Condition B is that, in connection with the offence, the offender used a courier who, when the offence was committed, was aged under 18.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (5), a person uses a courier in connection with an offence under section 5 of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 if the person causes or permits another person (“the courier”)—

(a) to deliver a substance to a third person, or

(b) to deliver a drug-related consideration to the person or a third person.

(7) For the purposes of subsection (6), a drug-related consideration is a consideration of any description which—

(a) is obtained in connection with the supply of a psychoactive substance, or

(b) is intended to be used in connection with obtaining a psychoactive substance.

(8) Condition C is that the offence was committed in a custodial institution.

(9) For the purposes of subsection (8), “custodial institution” means any of the following—

(a) a prison;

(b) a young offender institution, secure training centre or secure college;

(c) a removal centre, short-term holding facility or pre-departure accommodation (each, as defined in section 147 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999);

(d) service custody premises (as defined in section 300(7) of the Armed Forces Act 2006).

(10) In this section “psychoactive substance” has the same meaning as in the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (see section 2 of that Act).

Commencement Information

I9 S. 72 in force at 1.12.2020 by S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2