A sentence of three years and three months' imprisonment (starting point of four years against a seven-year maximum) for aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm involving a sword attack to the victim's face was upheld as not manifestly excessive. The discontinuance of a related weapons charge does not preclude the sentencing judge from relying on the use of the weapon as part of the agreed facts for the remaining charge, provided the discontinued charge is not a more serious offence than that which remains.
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