Voluntary self-incrimination (coming forward to accuse oneself rather than merely admitting allegations) is a significant mitigating factor in sentencing for child sexual offences, warranting substantial reduction. For offences of maintaining a sexual relationship with a child under 16 involving multiple victims over an extended period but without violence, threats, or penetration, and where the offender voluntarily confessed, cooperated fully, pleaded guilty, was remorseful, and had no prior convictions, a head sentence of 5 years with parole after 18 months was appropriate (maximum penalty 14 years).
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 3 later cases that cite this judgment.