A sentence of five years' imprisonment without a parole recommendation is within range for grievous bodily harm involving the use of a potentially lethal weapon on an uninvolved bystander, even where the offender pleaded guilty and was aged 19 at the time of the offence. The use of a weapon and the unprovoked nature of the attack on a bystander are serious factual aggravations. Sentencing judges are encouraged, though not required, to make explicit any discount given for a plea of guilty.
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