A sentence of 6 years detention (with release after 50 per cent) for a juvenile who committed grievous bodily harm with intent upon a 7-year-old child in the context of a premeditated break-in was not manifestly excessive, even where it exceeded the range of comparable single-judge decisions. The case confirms that offences of such gravity committed by children close to adulthood warrant recording a conviction notwithstanding the general principle favouring non-recording for juveniles.
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