In sentencing for sexual offences against children aged 13-16, the protective purpose of the criminal provisions and the need for deterrence must be given significant weight, and the personal circumstances of the offender, however sympathetic, carry little power to mitigate punishment where the offences are serious. An effective head sentence of 3 years for two counts of sexual penetration of a 13-year-old child and one count of aggravated sexual penetration without consent was manifestly inadequate; 5 years was substituted.
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