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 · Crown & Magistrates

Sentencing framework

The guideline structures sentencing for offences involving bladed articles and offensive weapons by first assessing culpability and harm. The court must determine the offence category and apply appropriate starting points based on these factors, with adjustments possible based on aggravating and mitigating circumstances. Sentences may include community orders or custodial sentences, with a minimum of 6 months for repeat offenders.

Maximum sentence

4 years’ custody

Court

Crown & Magistrates

Offence range

Fine – 2 years 6 months’ custody

Aggravating factors

·Previous convictions
·Offence committed whilst on bail
·Offence committed as part of a group
·Attempts to conceal identity
·Commission of offence whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs
·Offence committed in a domestic abuse context
·Attempts to conceal/dispose of evidence
·Failure to comply with current court orders
·Offence committed on licence or post sentence supervision
·Offences taken into consideration
·Failure to respond to warnings about behaviour

Mitigating factors

·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
·Positive character and/or exemplary conduct (regardless of previous convictions)
·Serious medical condition requiring urgent, intensive or long-term treatment
·Age and/or lack of maturity (which may be applicable to offenders aged 18-25)
·Mental disorder or learning disability
·Sole or primary carer for dependent relatives
·Co-operation with the police
·Pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal care
·Difficult and/or deprived background or personal circumstances
·Prospects of or in work, training or education

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

Step 1 — determining the offence category
Step 2 — assessing culpability and harm
Step 3 — applying minimum terms for second or further relevant offences
Step 4 — considering any factors indicating a reduction for assistance to the prosecution
Step 5 — reductions for guilty pleas
Step 6 — applying the totality principle
Step 7 — considering ancillary orders
Step 8 — stating reasons for the sentence
Step 9 — considering time spent on bail

Guideline notes

This offence is subject to statutory minimum sentencing provisions. See Step 3 for further details.

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.