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Controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship

s.76 Serious Crime Act 2015 · Triable either way

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Sentencing framework

The guideline for this offence provides a structured approach for sentencing. It categorizes offences based on culpability and harm, assigning starting points and ranges for sentencing. It factors in aggravating and mitigating circumstances to determine the final sentence, ensuring it reflects both the severity of the offence and the individual circumstances of the offender.

Maximum sentence

5 years’ custody

Court

Triable either way

Starting point

1 year’s custody

Offence range

Community order – 4 years’ custody

Aggravating factors

  • ·Previous convictions
  • ·Offence committed while on bail
  • ·Offence motivated by hostility based on victim's characteristics
  • ·Steps taken to prevent the victim reporting an incident
  • ·Steps taken to prevent the victim obtaining assistance
  • ·Proven history of violence or threats in a domestic context
  • ·Impact of offence on others, particularly children
  • ·Exploiting contact arrangements with a child to commit the offence
  • ·Victim is particularly vulnerable
  • ·Victim left in debt, destitute or homeless
  • ·Failure to comply with current court orders
  • ·Offence committed on licence or post sentence supervision

Mitigating factors

  • ·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
  • ·Remorse
  • ·Positive character and/or exemplary conduct
  • ·Serious medical condition requiring urgent, intensive or long-term treatment
  • ·Age and/or lack of maturity
  • ·Sole or primary carer for dependent relatives
  • ·Determination and/or demonstration of steps taken to address offending behaviour

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.