The combination of pleas of guilty at the first reasonable opportunity, genuine remorse, voluntary counselling, and prior good record does not constitute an unusual or exceptional combination of circumstances justifying suspended sentences for non-penetrative sexual offending against children. Where the true cause of offending remains unknown and risk of reoffending cannot be gauged, this weighs against suspension of imprisonment.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 1 later case that cites this judgment.