Delay between charge and sentence does not attract substantial mitigatory weight where the delay is not exceptional and the offender cannot demonstrate either significant anxiety or stress during the period of delay, or progress towards rehabilitation. The absence of such evidence, rather than the fact that the delay was caused by the offender's decision to run a trial, is the proper basis for giving delay little weight. A sentence of 10 years' imprisonment (50% of the maximum) for intentionally causing serious injury is within range for a serious example of the offence involving an unprovoked weapon attack causing life-threatening and permanent injuries.
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