PART 7Sentencing and release

CHAPTER 1Custodial sentences

Life sentences: time to be served

I1127Starting points for murder committed when under 18

In Schedule 21 to the Sentencing Code (minimum terms in mandatory life sentences), for paragraph 6 substitute—

5A

1

This paragraph applies if—

a

the offender was aged under 18 when the offence was committed, and

b

the offender was convicted of the offence on or after the day on which section 127 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 came into force.

2

The appropriate starting point, in determining the minimum term, is the period given in the entry in column 2, 3 or 4 of the following table that corresponds to—

a

the age of the offender when the offence was committed, as set out in column 1, and

b

the provision of this Schedule that would have supplied the appropriate starting point had the offender been aged 18 when the offence was committed, as set out in the headings to columns 2, 3 and 4.

1

2

3

4

Age of offender when offence committed

Starting point supplied by paragraph 3(1) had offender been 18

Starting point supplied by paragraph 4(1) had offender been 18

Starting point supplied by paragraph 5 had offender been 18

17

27 years

23 years

14 years

15 or 16

20 years

17 years

10 years

14 or under

15 years

13 years

8 years

6

1

This paragraph applies if—

a

the offender was aged under 18 when the offence was committed, and

b

the offender was convicted of the offence before the day on which section 127 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 came into force.

2

The appropriate starting point, in determining the minimum term, is 12 years.