Protective custody does not automatically warrant a reduction of an otherwise appropriate sentence. Sentencing courts must scrutinise the reasons for protection, the actual conditions of custody, the seriousness of the offence, and the purposes of punishment before granting any discount. Where an offender has sought protection for reasons unrelated to the offence or assistance to authorities, and the conditions are not shown to be particularly onerous, there may be good reason to doubt that a significant discount is justified.
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