Skip to content

Exposure

s.66 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Triable either way

Back to Offence Library

Sentencing framework

The guideline for exposure offences outlines a structured approach to sentencing based on the severity of the offence and the offender’s culpability. It categorizes offences into three categories, each with specific starting points and ranges for sentencing. Aggravating factors such as prior convictions or the presence of vulnerable individuals can increase the severity of the sentence, while mitigating factors, including lack of prior convictions and genuine remorse, may reduce it.

Maximum sentence

2 years’ custody

Court

Triable either way

Starting point

High level community order

Offence range

Fine – 1 year’s custody

Aggravating factors

  • ·Previous convictions
  • ·Offence committed whilst on bail
  • ·Location of offence
  • ·Timing of offence
  • ·Any steps taken to prevent the victim reporting an incident
  • ·Failure to comply with current court orders
  • ·Offence committed whilst on licence
  • ·Commission of offence whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • ·Presence of others, especially children

Mitigating factors

  • ·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
  • ·Remorse
  • ·Positive character and/or exemplary conduct (regardless of previous convictions)
  • ·Age and/or lack of maturity (which may be applicable to offenders aged 18-25)
  • ·Mental disorder or learning disability, particularly where linked to the commission of the offence
  • ·Demonstration of steps taken to address offending behaviour
  • ·Physical disability or serious medical condition requiring urgent, intensive or long-term treatment
  • ·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

  1. Step 1 — Determining the offence category
  2. Step 2 — Starting point and category range
  3. Step 3 — Reduction for assistance to prosecution
  4. Step 4 — Reduction for guilty pleas
  5. Step 5 — Dangerousness
  6. Step 6 — Totality principle
  7. Step 7 — Ancillary orders
  8. Step 8 — Reasons
  9. Step 9 — 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.