Where co-offenders play comparable roles in offending, the parity principle requires that differences in age (particularly youth), criminal history, and personal circumstances be reflected in differentiated sentences. Identical sentences for a youthful first offender and a significantly older co-offender with a substantial criminal history will give rise to a justifiable sense of grievance, even where the sentences are not manifestly excessive in absolute terms.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 7 later cases that cite this judgment.
1 of the 7 citing cases carry a classified treatment. How each court treated it is available to signed-in members.