A sentence of four-fifths of the maximum penalty for indecent assault of a child under 16 is manifestly excessive where the offender has no prior convictions, has demonstrated genuine remorse, pleaded guilty, is chronically ill and elderly, and has sound rehabilitation prospects. The Court of Appeal reiterated that cumulation of sentences must be upon the most serious count, not a lesser count, to avoid the distortion of the less serious offence appearing to take unwarranted primacy.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 6 later cases that cite this judgment.