The R v D sentencing standard (12 years for children under 10, 10 years for older children) applies to cases of serious sexual violation of a victim that is repeated persistently over a period of some weeks or more, including where the offender is in a position of trust. R v [name withheld] does not establish a separate sentencing standard for any particular category of sexual offending. Sentencing ranges for different classes of sexual offending must maintain appropriate relativity with each other. The passage of time and rehabilitation do not necessarily warrant suspension of sentence for serious sexual offending, particularly where general deterrence remains important.
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