A wholly suspended sentence of six months imprisonment for a s 218A offence involving protracted online sexual communication with a child by a youthful first offender with good rehabilitation prospects is within the sound exercise of the sentencing discretion. Comparative sentences imposed before the increase in maximum penalty from 5 to 10 years are of relatively little assistance. The availability of a lesser sentence (community-based order) does not of itself render the sentence imposed manifestly excessive.
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