A guilty plea, even if late and followed by absconding on bail, still warrants some modest recognition in sentencing. Sentencing judges should give and explain some moderation for a guilty plea even where the offender has absconded, so that offenders know there is a real benefit in pleading guilty. The wilfulness of absconding may be partially explained by drug addiction.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 6 later cases that cite this judgment.
1 of the 6 citing cases carry a classified treatment. How each court treated it is available to signed-in members.