A routine witness statement to police that does not describe seeing the relevant incident, does not name anyone as responsible, and does not disclose information significant to the investigation does not constitute 'assistance' to law enforcement authorities under s 10A(2)(a) of the Sentencing Act 1991. The 'substantial and compelling circumstances that are exceptional and rare' threshold under s 10A(2)(e) remains a very high hurdle, and a combination of youth, disadvantaged background, prior assistance to police in an unrelated matter, and positive progress in youth detention does not necessarily meet it.
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