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Committing offence with intent to commit a human trafficking offence

s.4 Modern Slavery Act 2015 · Crown Court / Magistrates

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Sentencing framework

The guideline recommends that sentencing for this offence is based on the seriousness of the preliminary offence, enhanced by up to 2 years for the intention to commit a human trafficking offence. The court must follow relevant guidelines while ensuring fairness and consider the totality of any concurrent sentences.

Maximum sentence

Life imprisonment (if kidnapping or false imprisonment committed), otherwise 10 years’ custody

Court

Crown Court / Magistrates

Starting point

Up to 2 years’ custody enhancement suggested based on the intended trafficking offence

Offence range

10 years’ custody - Life imprisonment (if relevant offences committed)

The sentencing process, step by step

  1. Step 1 — determining the offence category
  2. Step 2 — assessing culpability
  3. Step 3 — determining harm
  4. Step 4 — applying the starting point and category range
  5. Step 5 — considering aggravating and mitigating factors
  6. Step 6 — making adjustments for totality
  7. Step 7 — imposing a sentence

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.