After Pearce v The Queen, it is difficult to envisage circumstances in which it would be permissible to commence all of a series of multiple sentences on the same date. The characterisation of offences as 'one episode of criminality' does not justify wholly concurrent sentences where each offence contributes distinct criminality. Where an offender pleads guilty immediately upon charges being reduced by the Crown, that is an 'exceptional case' justifying a discount at or close to the top of the Thomson and Houlton range, notwithstanding that proceedings have been set down for trial. No allowance in mitigation should be made for the naivety of the victim.
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