THIRD GROUP OF PARTSDisposals

PART 10Custodial sentences

CHAPTER 4Adults aged 21 and over

Life sentences

I1285Required life sentence for offence carrying life sentence

1

This section applies where a court is dealing with an offender for an offence where—

a

the offender is aged 21 or over at the time of conviction,

b

the offence is a Schedule 19 offence (see section 307),

c

the offence was committed on or after 4 April 2005, and

d

the court is of the opinion that there is a significant risk to members of the public of serious harm occasioned by the commission by the offender of further specified offences (see sections 306(1) and 308).

2

The pre-sentence report requirements (see section 30) apply to the court in relation to forming the opinion mentioned in subsection (1)(d).

C13

If the court considers that the seriousness of—

a

the offence, or

b

the offence and one or more offences associated with it,

is such as to justify the imposition of a sentence of imprisonment for life, the court must impose a sentence of imprisonment for life.

4

An offence the sentence for which is imposed under this section is not to be regarded as an offence the sentence for which is fixed by law.