Mountford Chambers delivers a nationwide and international service to clients, who are assured quality advice, advocacy and representation at all levels.
News & Insights
Anna Renou represented the appellant who had been sentenced to an extended sentence of 8 years and 3 months’ imprisonment for a Robbery (Dwelling). The appellant had been found to be “dangerous” by the sentencing judge.
The appellant was a youth at the time of the offence, having very recently turned 17. She was sentenced on a joint enterprise basis for planning and participating in a robbery in the home of a man she recently met when a group of armed men entered the property inflicting violence.
Leave was granted to appeal on five grounds. Anna argued that not enough weight was attached to the appellant’s age, that she was the victim of exploitation and a victim of modern slavery. Anna also argued the sentencing judge did not follow the youth specific guideline for robbery and the starting point taken was too high.
On 17th January 2025 the Court of Appeal quashed the finding of “dangerousness” and found that the sentencing judge had arrived at a too high starting point. Bearing in mind the young age of the appellant and her strong mitigation, the Court of Appeal varied her sentence to 5 years and 4 months.
Anna was instructed by Denise Wilson-Osuide, ITN Solicitors.
Tom Edwards looks at the impact of the shift from Joint Enterprise to Common Purpose in the five years since…
Ben Hargreaves explores the inherent challenges in the admissibility of sexual history in sex cases. Section 41 of the Youth…
Silas Lee, pupil barrister, reviews the statutory regime on witness anonymity. Anonymous witness orders are most commonly sought by the…
An analysis of the law on fitness to plead and stand trial in the magistrates’ courts: Silas Lee reviews the…