Where a young offender commits a serious crime of violence such as murder involving premeditated confrontation with a loaded firearm, the seriousness of the offence may override the usual emphasis on rehabilitation for young offenders, and deterrence, denunciation and punishment must be given appropriate weight. A plea discount of 25 percent is excessive where the plea was entered on the third day of trial, the offender initially denied responsibility, and full admissions were made only grudgingly and belatedly; around 15 percent was appropriate in such circumstances.
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