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Aggravated burglary

s.10 Theft Act 1968 · Triable only on indictment

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Sentencing framework

The guideline for aggravated burglary establishes a structured approach to sentencing based on culpability and harm involved in the offence. It specifies a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and outlines a range of 1 to 13 years custody, with starting points varying based on the severity of the circumstances. Factors influencing the sentence include previous convictions, use of a weapon, and the role of the offender, with aggravating and mitigating factors taken into account to ensure fair and proportionate sentencing.

Maximum sentence

Life imprisonment

Court

Triable only on indictment

Starting point

10 years’ custody

Offence range

1 – 13 years’ custody

Aggravating factors

  • ·Previous convictions
  • ·Weapon carried when entering premises
  • ·Use of face covering or disguise
  • ·Offence committed in a dwelling
  • ·Child at home (or returns home) when offence committed
  • ·Offence committed at night
  • ·Abuse of power and/or position of trust

Mitigating factors

  • ·Nothing stolen or only property of low value to the victim
  • ·Offender has made voluntary reparation to the victim
  • ·The offender was in a lesser or subordinate role if acting with others/performed limited role under direction
  • ·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
  • ·Remorse
  • ·Good character and/or exemplary conduct
  • ·Determination, and/or demonstration of steps taken to address addiction or offending behaviour
  • ·Physical disability or serious medical conditions requiring urgent, intensive or long-term treatment
  • ·Mental disorder or learning disability, where not linked to the commission of the offence
  • ·Age and/or lack of maturity
  • ·Delay since apprehension
  • ·Sole or primary carer for dependent relatives

Sentencing range explorer

Select the culpability level and harm category to see the guideline's starting point and category range. This is an educational illustration of the published guideline — not a sentence calculation, and not legal advice. Courts apply the full step-by-step process, aggravating and mitigating factors, and the totality principle.

Culpability

Harm

Select a culpability level and a harm category above.

The sentencing process, step by step

  1. Step 1 — determining the offence category
  2. Step 2 — Starting point and category range
  3. Step 3 — Consider any factors which indicate a reduction for assistance to the prosecution
  4. Step 4 — Reduction for guilty pleas
  5. Step 5 — Dangerousness
  6. Step 6 — Totality principle
  7. Step 7 — Compensation and ancillary orders
  8. Step 8 — Reasons
  9. Step 9 — Consideration for time spent on bail (tagged curfew)

Guideline notes

  • This guideline applies to all offenders aged 18 and older, who are sentenced on or after the effective date of this guideline, regardless of the date of the offence.

Always read the full guideline

This is a one-page summary. For any live case, sentencing exercise, or legal advice the authoritative source is the Sentencing Council's own definitive guideline — including the category bands, step-by-step sentencing approach, and all statutory factors not captured here.

Open the full guideline on sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Source: Sentencing Council · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-28. Not legal advice — see a regulated adviser for any live case.