An offender aged six months short of 18 who demonstrates adult-like planning and decision-making in committing a grave offence — including selecting a target, arming himself, and making tactical choices about weapon use — cannot expect the principles applicable to child offenders under s 6 of the Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 to substantially reduce the weight given to objective seriousness, deterrence and retribution. Section 6(e) does not mandate a lesser sentence than that which would be imposed on an adult for an offence of the same kind.
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