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Communication network offences

ss. 127(1) and 127(2) Communications Act 2003 · Magistrates

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Sentencing framework

The guideline establishes a framework for sentencing based on the offender's culpability and the harm caused by the offence. Offenders are categorized into three levels, with corresponding starting points and ranges for sentences. Aggravating factors increase the severity of the sentence, while mitigating factors may reduce it.

Maximum sentence

Unlimited fine and/or 6 months

Court

Magistrates

Starting point

Band A fine - 15 weeks' custody

Offence range

Band A fine - 15 weeks' custody

Aggravating factors

  • ·Targeting of a vulnerable victim
  • ·False calls to emergency services

Mitigating factors

  • ·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
  • ·Remorse
  • ·Positive character and/or exemplary conduct (regardless of previous convictions)
  • ·Isolated incident
  • ·Age and/or lack of maturity (which may be applicable to offenders aged 18-25)

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, such as assistance to the prosecution
  4. Step 4 — Reduction for guilty pleas
  5. Step 5 — Totality principle
  6. Step 6 — Compensation and ancillary orders
  7. Step 7 — Reasons
  8. Step 8 — Consideration for time spent on bail (tagged curfew)

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.