In sentencing youthful offenders, rehabilitation is usually far more important than general deterrence, and general deterrence necessarily yields to the more immediate public interest in rehabilitation where the principle applies with full force. However, the application depends on the age of the offender, potential for rehabilitation, and the prevalence of the offence among youthful offenders. A sentence of two years' detention in a Youth Training Centre for a 17-year-old first offender who committed vicious unprovoked assaults causing serious head injury is severe but within range.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 1 later case that cites this judgment.
1 of the 1 citing case carries a classified treatment. How each court treated it is available to signed-in members.