A wholly suspended sentence for recklessly causing serious injury by use of a knife will ordinarily be inappropriate given the need for general and specific deterrence, but the Court of Appeal may decline to intervene in the exercise of its residual discretion where the offender has been at liberty for a significant period, has not reoffended, and has compelling personal circumstances including dependent family members. The imposition of an immediate custodial sentence for intentionally or recklessly causing serious injury is not invariably required, but will ordinarily be called for where a weapon such as a knife is used.
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