The main changes are:
clarification of wording relating to disqualification in magistrates’ court motoring offences guidelines and related explanatory materials; changes to the guidelines for criminal damage to take account of the legislative change relating to memorials; amendments to the wording regarding minimum sentences in bladed article, drug and burglary offences guidelines; and additional wording for the unlawful act manslaughter guideline relating to the required life sentence for an offence committed against an emergency worker.
The annual consultations consider potential changes to guidelines arising from various sources including case law, changes to legislation and feedback from sentencers. In this way the Council aims to ensure that sentencing guidelines remain, clear and up-to-date.
The responses to this consultation have led us to make changes to the proposals, the full details of which are set out in the response document which can be found here.