Where a young offender commits very serious violence (here, an unprovoked sustained knife attack causing life-threatening injuries) against a background of escalating violent offending and while on parole, the mitigatory effect of youth is necessarily reduced and a sentence must adequately reflect objective gravity and specific deterrence. A sentence of 4 years for intentionally causing serious injury in such circumstances was manifestly inadequate; 6 years was appropriate. The Court emphasised that imprisonment alone is insufficient and that sustained rehabilitative engagement by correctional authorities is essential.
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