UK Offence Sentencing Library
Every Sentencing Council definitive guideline, summarised. Maximum sentence, starting point, key aggravating + mitigating factors per offence.
The Sentencing Council issues definitive guidelines that judges and magistrates must follow when passing sentence in England and Wales. We've summarised 187 guidelines covering offences from common assault to corporate manslaughter, drug supply, dangerous driving, sexual offences and fraud. Each page links back to the official Sentencing Council guideline — that's the authoritative source for any live case. Last refreshed: 2026-06-28.
A
Abstracting electricity
s.13 Theft Act 1968
Max: 5 years’ custody
Abuse of position of trust: sexual activity in the presence of a child / Abuse of position of trust: causing a child to watch a sexual act
Sexual Offences Act 2003, s.18, s.19
Max: 5 years’ custody
Abuse of position of trust: sexual activity with a child / Abuse of position of trust: causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
s.16, s.17 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 5 years’ custody
Administering a substance with intent
s.61 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 10 years’ custody
Affray
Public Order Act 1986, s.3
Max: 3 years’ custody
Aggravated burglary
s.10 Theft Act 1968
Max: Life imprisonment
Aggravated burglary
s.10 Theft Act 1968
Max: Life imprisonment
Aggravated vehicle taking – damage caused to vehicle or other property
s.12A(2)(c) and (d) Theft Act 1968
Max: 2 years’ custody
Aggravated vehicle taking – dangerous driving
s.12A(2)(a) Theft Act 1968
Max: 2 years’ custody
Allocation and committal for sentence
s.122(2) Coroners and Justice Act 2009
Animal cruelty
Animal Welfare Act 2006, s.4 (unnecessary suffering), s.5 (mutilation), s.6 (docking of dogs’ tails), s.7 (administration of poisons etc), s.8 (fighting etc)
Max: 5 years’ custody
Animal welfare
Animal Welfare Act 2006, s.33
Max: Life imprisonment
Arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence
Sexual Offences Act 2003, s.14
Max: Life imprisonment (if specific sections apply) / 14 years’ custody / 10 years’ custody (depending on the offence)
Arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence
s.14 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 14 years’ custody
Arson/criminal damage with intent to endanger life or reckless as to whether life endangered
Criminal Damage Act 1971, s.1(2) and (3)
Max: Life imprisonment
Assault by penetration
s.2 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: Life imprisonment
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm / Racially or religiously aggravated ABH
s.47 Offences Against the Person Act 1861, s.29 Crime and Disorder Act 1998
Max: 5 years’ custody for ABH, 7 years’ custody for racially or religiously aggravated ABH
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm / Racially or religiously aggravated ABH
s.29 Crime and Disorder Act 1998, s.47 Offences Against the Person Act 1861
Max: 7 years’ custody
Assault of a child under 13 by penetration
s.6 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: Life imprisonment
Assault on a police constable in execution of his duty
s.89 Police Act 1996
Max: 26 weeks’ custody
Assault on a police constable in execution of his duty
s. 89 Police Act 1996
Max: 6 months' custody
Assault on Emergency Worker
s.1 Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018
Max: 1 year’s custody
Assault with intent to resist arrest
s.38 Offences against the Person Act 1861
Max: 2 years’ custody
Assault with intent to resist arrest
s.38 Offences against the Person Act 1861
Max: 2 years’ custody
B
Being in charge of a motor vehicle with a specified drug above the specified limit
s.5A Road Traffic Act 1988
Max: Level 4 fine
Being in charge of a motor vehicle with a specified drug above the specified limit
s.5A Road Traffic Act 1988
Max: Level 4 fine and/or 3 months
Benefit Fraud
s.111A Social Security Administration Act 1992; s.35 Tax Credits Act 2002; s.17 Theft Act 1968; s.112 Social Security Administration Act 1992; s.1 Fraud Act 2006; Common law (Conspiracy to defraud)
Max: 10 years’ custody
Blackmail
s.21 Theft Act 1968
Max: 14 years’ custody
Bladed articles and offensive weapons - having in a public place
s.139A(1) Criminal Justice Act 1988, s.1(1) Prevention of Crime Act 1953
Max: 4 years’ custody
Bladed articles and offensive weapons (having in public/education premises and threats) – children and young people
s.120 Coroners and Justice Act 2009
Max: 4 months Detention and Training Order (statutory minimum)
Breach of a sexual harm prevention order
s.103I Sexual Offences Act 2003, s.354 Sentencing Code
Max: 5 years’ custody
Breach of a Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Order / Breach of a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order
s.30 Modern Slavery Act 2015
Max: 5 years’ imprisonment
Breach of a Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Order/ Breach of a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order
s.30, Modern Slavery Act 2015
Max: 5 years’ imprisonment
Breach of food safety and food hygiene regulations
Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 (regulation 19(1)), Food Hygiene (Wales) Regulations 2006 (regulation 17(1)), The General Food Regulations 2004 (regulation 4)
Max: Unlimited fine and/or 2 years’ custody (when tried on indictment); Unlimited fine (when tried summarily) for the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 and Food Hygiene (Wales) Regulations 2006; 6 months’ custody and/or unlimited fine for The General Food Regulations 2004.
Bribery
s.1, s.2, s.6 Bribery Act 2010
Max: 10 years’ custody
C
Care workers: sexual activity in the presence of a person with a mental disorder / Care workers: causing a person with a mental disorder to watch a sexual act
s.40, s.41 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 7 years’ custody
Care workers: sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder / Care workers: causing or inciting sexual activity
s.38, s.39 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 14 years’ custody (if penetration involved), otherwise 10 years’ custody
Careless Driving (drive without due care and attention)
s.3 Road Traffic Act 1988
Max: Unlimited fine
Causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent
s.4 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: Life imprisonment (if penetration involved), otherwise 10 years’ custody
Causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs
Road Traffic Act 1988, s.3A
Max: Life imprisonment for offences committed after 28 June 2022; otherwise 14 years' custody
Causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving
Road Traffic Act 1988, s.2B
Max: 5 years’ custody
Causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving
Road Traffic Act 1988, s.2B
Max: 5 years’ custody
Causing death by dangerous driving
Road Traffic Act 1988, s.1
Max: Life imprisonment for offences committed after 28 June 2022; otherwise 14 years' custody
Causing death by driving; disqualified drivers
Road Traffic Act 1988, s.3ZC
Max: 10 years’ custody
Causing death by driving: disqualified drivers
s.3ZC Road Traffic Act 1988
Max: 10 years’ custody
Causing grievous bodily harm with intent to do grievous bodily harm / Wounding with intent to do GBH
s.18 Offences Against the Person Act 1861
Max: Life imprisonment
Causing grievous bodily harm with intent to do grievous bodily harm / Wounding with intent to do GBH
s.18 Offences Against the Person Act 1861
Max: Life imprisonment
Causing injury by wanton or furious driving
s.35 Offences against the Person Act 1861
Max: 2 years’ custody
Causing injury by wanton or furious driving
s.35 Offences Against the Person Act 1861
Max: 2 years’ custody
Causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm / Causing or allowing a child to die
Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, s.5
Max: Life imprisonment for causing or allowing a child to die; 14 years’ custody for causing or allowing a child to suffer serious harm (maximum varies based on date of offence)
Causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
s.8 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: Life imprisonment (if penetration involved), otherwise 14 years' custody
Causing or inciting prostitution for gain/ Controlling prostitution for gain
s.52, s.53 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 7 years’ custody
Causing or inciting sexual exploitation of a child/ Controlling a child in relation to sexual exploitation/ Arranging or facilitating sexual exploitation of a child
s.48, s.49, s.50 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 14 years’ custody
Causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving
s.2C Road Traffic Act 1988
Max: 2 years’ custody
Causing serious injury by dangerous driving
s.1A Road Traffic Act 1988
Max: 5 years’ custody
Causing serious injury by dangerous driving
Road Traffic Act 1988, s.1A
Max: 5 years’ custody
Causing serious injury by driving: disqualified drivers
s.3ZD Road Traffic Act 1988
Max: 4 years’ custody
Child sex offences committed by children or young persons (sections 9-12) (offender under 18)/ Sexual activity with a child family member (offender under 18)/ Inciting a child family member to engage in sexual activity (offender under 18)
Sexual Offences Act 2003, s.13, s.25, s.26
Max: 5 years’ custody
Committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence
s.62 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: Life imprisonment (if kidnapping or false imprisonment committed), otherwise 10 years' custody
Committing offence with intent to commit a human trafficking offence
s.4 Modern Slavery Act 2015
Max: Life imprisonment (if kidnapping or false imprisonment committed), otherwise 10 years’ custody
Committing offence with intent to commit a human trafficking offence
s.4, Modern Slavery Act 2015
Max: Life imprisonment (if kidnapping or false imprisonment committed), otherwise 10 years’ custody
Common assault / Racially or religiously aggravated common assault / Battery / Common assault on emergency worker
s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988; s.29 Crime and Disorder Act 1998; s.1 Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018
Max: 2 years' custody (for racially or religiously aggravated offences)
Communication network offences
ss. 127(1) and 127(2) Communications Act 2003
Max: Unlimited fine and/or 6 months
Controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship
s.76 Serious Crime Act 2015
Max: 5 years’ custody
Corporate manslaughter
s.1 Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007
Max: unlimited fine
Corporate offenders: fraud, bribery and money laundering
Fraud Act 2006 (sections 1, 6 and 7), Theft Act 1968 (section 17), Value Added Tax Act 1994 (section 72), Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (section 170), Bribery Act 2010 (sections 1, 2, 6)
Max: Unlimited fine
Criminal damage (other than by fire) value not exceeding £5,000 / Racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage
Criminal Damage Act 1971, s.1(1), Crime and Disorder Act 1998, s.30
Max: 14 years’ custody (aggravated), Level 4 fine and/or 3 months’ custody (basic offence)
Cruelty to a child – assault and ill treatment, abandonment, neglect, and failure to protect
Children and Young Persons Act 1933, s1(1)
Max: 14 years’ custody for offences committed on or after 28 June 2022; otherwise 10 years’ custody
Cruelty to a child – assault and ill treatment, abandonment, neglect, and failure to protect
Children and Young Persons Act 1933, s1(1)
Max: 14 years’ custody for offences committed on or after 28 June 2022; otherwise 10 years’ custody
D
Dangerous driving
s.2 Road Traffic Act 1988
Max: 2 years’ custody
Disclosing or threatening to disclose private sexual images
s.33 Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015
Max: 2 years’ custody
Domestic abuse: overarching principles
s.120 Coroners and Justice Act 2009
Domestic burglary
s.9 Theft Act 1968
Max: 14 years’ custody
Domestic burglary
s.9 Theft Act 1968
Max: 14 years’ custody
Drive whilst disqualified
s.103 Road Traffic Act 1988
Max: Unlimited fine and/or 6 months
Driving Disqualification
s.163 & s.164 Sentencing Code; Schedule 2 Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
Driving Disqualification
s.163 and s.164 Sentencing Code; Schedule 2 Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
Driving or Attempting to Drive with a specified drug above the specified limit
Road Traffic Act 1988, s.5A
Max: Unlimited fine and/or 6 months’ custody
Driving or Attempting to Drive with a specified drug above the specified limit
s.5A Road Traffic Act 1988
Max: Unlimited fine and/or 6 months’ custody
Drugs – class A – fail to attend/remain for initial assessment
s.12 Drugs Act 2005
Max: Level 4 fine
Drugs – class A – fail/refuse to provide a sample
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, s.63B
Max: Level 4 fine
Drunk and disorderly in a public place
s.91 Criminal Justice Act 1967
Max: Level 3 fine (£1,000)
E
Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child / Causing a child to watch a sexual act
s.11, s.12 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 10 years’ custody
Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a person with mental disorder impeding choice/ Causing a person, with mental disorder impeding choice, to watch a sexual act
s.32, s.33 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 10 years’ custody
Engaging in sexual activity in the presence procured by inducement, threat or deception, of a person with mental disorder / Causing a person with a mental disorder to watch a sexual act by inducement, threat or deception
s.36, s.37 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 10 years’ custody
Environmental offences (other)
Section 120 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009
Max: Unlimited fine / Imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine or both (depends on specific offence)
Excess Alcohol (drive/attempt to drive)
Road Traffic Act 1988, s.5(1)(a)
Max: Unlimited fine and/or 6 months
Excess Alcohol (in charge)
s.5(1)(b) Road Traffic Act 1988
Max: Level 4 fine (up to £2,500) and/or 3 months custody
Exposure
s.66 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 2 years’ custody
F
Fail to co-operate with preliminary (roadside) test
s.6(6) Road Traffic Act 1988
Max: £1,000 fine
Fail to comply with an Improvement Notice or Prohibition Order
s.30(1) & s.32(1) Housing Act 2004
Max: Unlimited fine
Fail to comply with an Improvement Notice; fail to comply with a Prohibition Order
Housing Act 2004 section 30(1), section 32(1)
Max: Unlimited fine
Fail to comply with notification requirements
s.91 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 5 years’ custody
Fail to provide specimen for analysis (drive/attempt to drive)
Road Traffic Act 1988, s.7(6)
Max: Unlimited fine and/or 6 months
Fail to stop/report road accident
s.170(4) Road Traffic Act 1988
Max: Unlimited fine and/or 6 months
Failure to surrender to bail
s.6 Bail Act 1976
Max: 12 months’ custody (3 months for magistrates’ court)
Firearms - Importation
Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (s.50(3), (4) and (5A)(a)), Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (s.170(1)(b), (2), (3) and (4A)(a))
Max: Life imprisonment or 14 years (7 years for offences committed before 22 February 2024)
Firearms – Carrying in a public place
s.19 Firearms Act 1968
Max: 7 years’ custody (12 months’ custody for imitation firearms, 6 months’ custody for an air weapon)
Firearms – Carrying in a public place
s.19, Firearms Act 1968
Max: 7 years’ custody
Firearms – Possession by person prohibited
s.21(4) and (5) Firearms Act 1968
Max: 5 years’ custody
Firearms – Possession by person prohibited
s.21(4) and (5) Firearms Act 1968
Max: 5 years’ custody
Firearms – Possession of prohibited weapon
Firearms Act 1968, s.5(1), 5(1A)
Max: 10 years’ custody
Firearms – Possession of prohibited weapon
Firearms Act 1968, s.5(1), 5(1A)
Max: 10 years’ custody
Firearms – Possession with intent – other offences
Firearms Act 1968, s.17(1), s.17(2), s.18
Max: Life imprisonment
Firearms – Possession with intent to cause fear of violence
s.16A Firearms Act 1968
Max: 10 years’ custody
Firearms – Possession with intent to endanger life
s.16 Firearms Act 1968
Max: Life imprisonment
Firearms – Transfer and manufacture
Firearms Act 1968, s.5(2A)(a), s.5(2A)(b), s.5(2A)(c), s.5(2A)(d)
Max: Life imprisonment
Firearms – Transfer and manufacture
Firearms Act 1968, s. 5(2A)(a-d)
Max: Life imprisonment
Fraud
Fraud Act 2006, s.1, Theft Act 1968, s.17, Common law
Max: 10 years’ custody
Fraudulent evasion of a prohibition by bringing into or taking out of the UK a controlled drug
s.3 Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; s.170(2) Customs and Excise Management Act 1979
Max: Life imprisonment for Class A; 14 years’ custody for Class B and C
G
H
Handling stolen goods
s.22 Theft Act 1968
Max: 14 years’ custody
Harassment (fear of violence)/ Stalking (fear of violence or serious alarm or distress)/ Racially or religiously aggravated harassment (fear of violence)/ stalking (fear of violence or serious alarm or distress)
Protection from Harassment Act 1997, s.4, s.4A, Crime and Disorder Act 1998, s.32(1)(b)
Max: 14 years’ custody
Hatred against persons on religious grounds or grounds of sexual orientation
Public Order Act 1986, ss.18-23, ss.29B-29G
Max: 7 years’ custody
I
Imposition of community and custodial sentences
s.120 Coroners and Justice Act 2009
Max: Life imprisonment (where applicable)
Inducement, threat or deception to procure sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder / Causing a person with a mental disorder to engage in or agree to engage in sexual activity by inducement, threat or deception
Sexual Offences Act 2003, s.34, s.35
Max: Life imprisonment (if penetration involved), otherwise 14 years’ custody
Inflicting grievous bodily harm/ Unlawful wounding/ Racially or religiously aggravated GBH/ Unlawful wounding
Crime and Disorder Act 1998, s.29, Offences against the Person Act 1861, s.20
Max: 7 years’ custody (aggravated), 5 years’ custody (non-aggravated)
K
M
Making Off Without Payment
s.3 Theft Act 1978
Max: 2 years’ custody
Meeting a child following sexual grooming
s.15 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 10 years’ custody
Money laundering
s.327, s.328, s.329 Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
Max: 14 years’ custody
Motoring offences appropriate for imposition of fine or discharge
Road Traffic Act 1988
Max: Unlimited fine
Motoring offences appropriate for imposition of fine or discharge
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s.17(4)
Max: Unlimited fine
N
O
P
Paying for the sexual services of a child
Sexual Offences Act 2003, s.47
Max: Life imprisonment (Victim under 13 (penetrative)), 14 years’ custody (Victim under 13 (non-penetrative), Victim aged 13–15), 7 years’ custody (Victim aged 16–17)
Permitting premises to be used
s.8 Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Max: 14 years’ custody
Permitting premises to be used
s.8 Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Max: 14 years’ custody
Perverting the course of justice
Common law
Max: Life imprisonment
Possession of a controlled drug
s.5(2) Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Max: 7 years’ custody (Class A); 5 years’ custody (Class B); 2 years’ custody (Class C)
Possession of a controlled drug
s.5(2) Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Max: 7 years’ custody (Class A), 5 years’ custody (Class B), 2 years’ custody (Class C)
Possession of articles for use in frauds / Making or supplying articles for use in frauds
Fraud Act 2006, s.6, s.7
Max: 5 years’ custody for possession; 10 years’ custody for making or supplying
Possession of false identity documents etc with improper intention
s.4, Identity Documents Act 2010
Max: 10 years’ imprisonment
Possession of indecent photograph of child/ Indecent photographs of children
Criminal Justice Act 1988, s.160; Protection of Children Act 1978, s.1
Max: 5 years’ custody; 10 years’ custody
Possession, purchase or acquisition of a firearm without a certificate
s.1(1)(a) Firearms Act 1968
Max: 5 years’ custody, or 7 years for aggravated offences
Production of a controlled drug / Cultivation of cannabis plant
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, s.4(2)(a) or (b), s.6(2)
Max: Life imprisonment for Class A; 14 years’ custody for Class B and C; 14 years’ custody for Cultivation of cannabis plant
R
Racially or religiously aggravated common assault
Crime and Disorder Act 1998, s.29; Criminal Justice Act 1988, s.39
Max: 2 years’ custody
Racially or religiously aggravated disorderly behaviour
Public Order Act 1986, s.5, Crime and Disorder Act 1998, s.31(1)(c)
Max: Level 4 fine
Rape
s.1 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: Life imprisonment
Rape of a child under 13
s.5 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: Life imprisonment
Reduction in sentence for a guilty plea - first hearing on or after 1 June 2017
s.73 Sentencing Code
Revenue fraud
Fraud Act 2006, s.1; Theft Act 1968, s.17; Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, s.50, 170, 170B; Taxes Management Act 1970, s.106A; Value Added Tax Act 1994, s.72; Common law
Max: Life imprisonment / 10 years’ custody / 14 years’ custody / 7 years’ custody
Riot
Public Order Act 1986, s.1
Max: 10 years’ custody
Robbery – professionally planned commercial
s.8(1) Theft Act 1968
Max: Life imprisonment
Robbery – Sentencing children and young people
s.120 Coroners and Justice Act 2009
Robbery – street and less sophisticated commercial
s.8(1) Theft Act 1968
Max: Life imprisonment
S
Sentencing children and young people
s.120 Coroners and Justice Act 2009
Max: Life imprisonment
Sentencing offenders with mental disorders, developmental disorders, or neurological impairments
s.120 Coroners and Justice Act 2009
Sex with an adult relative: penetration / Sex with an adult relative: consenting to penetration
Sexual Offences Act 2003, s.64, s.65
Max: 2 years’ custody
Sexual activity in a public lavatory
s.71 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: Unlimited fine and/or 6 months
Sexual activity with a child family member / Inciting a child family member to engage in sexual activity
s.25, s.26 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 14 years’ custody
Sexual activity with a child/ Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
s.9, s.10 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 14 years’ custody
Sexual activity with a child/ Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
s.9, s.10 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 14 years’ custody
Sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice
s.30, s.31 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: Life imprisonment (if penetration involved), otherwise 14 years’ custody
Sexual assault
s.3 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 10 years’ custody
Sexual assault of a child under 13
s.7 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 14 years’ custody
Sexual assault of a child under 13
s. 274 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 14 years’ custody
Sexual assault of a child under 13
s.7 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 14 years’ custody
Sexual communication with a child
s.15A Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 2 years’ custody
Sexual offences - historical
Sexual Offences Act 1956
Max: Life imprisonment
Sexual offences – Sentencing children and young people
Coroners and Justice Act 2009, s.120
Slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour / Human trafficking
s.1, s.2 Modern Slavery Act 2015
Max: Life imprisonment
Slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour / Human trafficking
s.2, s.1, Modern Slavery Act 2015
Max: Life imprisonment
Speeding
s.89(1) Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
Max: Level 3 fine (level 4 if motorway)
Strangulation or suffocation / Racially or religiously aggravated strangulation or suffocation
s.75A Serious Crime Act 2015, s.29 Crime and Disorder Act 1998
Max: 5 years’ custody for strangulation/suffocation; 7 years’ custody for racially or religiously aggravated offences
Supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug / Possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply it to another
s.4(3) Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Max: Class A: Life imprisonment, Class B: 14 years’ custody and/or unlimited fine, Class C: 14 years’ custody and/or unlimited fine
T
Theft from a shop or stall
s.1 Theft Act 1968
Max: 7 years’ custody (except for low-value shoplifting, which has a maximum of 6 months’ custody)
Threatening behaviour – fear or provocation of violence / Racially or religiously aggravated threatening behaviour – fear or provocation of violence
Public Order Act 1986, s.4; Crime and Disorder Act 1998, s.31(1)(a)
Max: 2 years’ custody for racially or religiously aggravated; 6 months’ custody for standard threatening behaviour
Threatening with an article with blade/point or offensive weapon
s.139AA(1) Criminal Justice Act 1988, s.1A Prevention of Crime Act 1953
Max: 4 years’ custody
Threats to destroy or damage property
s.2 Criminal Damage Act 1971
Max: 10 years’ custody
Totality
s.120 Coroners and Justice Act 2009
Trade mark, unauthorised use of etc.
s.92 Trade Marks Act 1994
Max: 10 years’ custody
Trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence
s.63 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 10 years’ custody
U
Unauthorised or harmful deposit, treatment or disposal etc of waste / Illegal discharges to air, land and water
Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010, regulations 12 and 38(1), (2) and (3), Environmental Protection Act 1990, s.33
Max: 5 years’ custody
Unfit through drink or drugs (drive/ attempt to drive)
s.4(1) Road Traffic Act 1988
Max: Unlimited fine and/or 6 months
Unfit through drink or drugs (in charge)
Road Traffic Act, 1988, s.4(2)
Max: Level 4 fine and/or 3 months
V
Various motoring offences including No goods vehicle plating certificate, No goods vehicle test certificate, etc.
Road Traffic Act 1988, s.53(1) and related sections
Max: Unlimited fine
Vehicle registration fraud
s.44 Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994
Max: 2 years’ custody
Vehicle taking, without consent
s.12 Theft Act 1968
Max: Unlimited fine and/or 6 months
Violent disorder
Public Order Act 1986, s.2
Max: 5 years’ custody
Voyeurism
s.67 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Max: 2 years’ custody
W
Source: Sentencing Council — Definitive guidelines · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summaries are for orientation only — read the full guideline before relying on it operationally or for legal advice.