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 · Triable either way

Sentencing framework

Sentencing for this offence is structured around assessing the culpability and harm associated with the offence. The court determines an offence category and applies a starting point sentence from where adjustments can be made based on aggravating and mitigating factors. The maximum sentence for serious cases is 14 years' custody, while the minimum can vary significantly based on the victim's age and the circumstances of the offence.

Maximum sentence

14 years’ custody

Court

Triable either way

Starting point

10 years’ custody

Offence range

Victim aged under 13: 1 - 13 years' custody; Victim aged 13 - 15: 26 weeks' - 11 years' custody; Victim aged 16 - 17: Community order - 7 years' custody

Aggravating factors

·Previous convictions
·Offence committed while on bail
·Offence committed whilst on licence
·Deliberate isolation of the victim(s)
·Vulnerability of the victim(s)
·Threats made to expose victim(s) to authorities
·Attempts to dispose of or conceal evidence

Mitigating factors

·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
·Remorse
·Positive character and/or exemplary conduct
·Age and/or lack of maturity
·Mental disorder or learning disability
·Physical disability or serious medical condition
·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 — starting point and category range
Step 3 — consider any factors which indicate a reduction, such as assistance to the prosecution
Step 4 — reduction for guilty plea
Step 5 — dangerousness
Step 6 — totality principle
Step 7 — ancillary orders

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.