A 12-month wholly suspended sentence for a serious and cowardly assault occasioning bodily harm (fracture caused by stomping on a prone victim) was within range, but an operational period of three years was excessive and was reduced to 18 months. The case confirms that custodial sentences (including suspended sentences) are within the permissible range for serious cases of assault occasioning bodily harm, even under the pre-1997 maximum penalty of three years. The case cannot be treated as authority for the post-1 July 1997 sentencing regime.
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