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Fail to comply with notification requirements

s.91 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Triable either way

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Sentencing framework

The guideline for sentencing those who fail to comply with notification requirements categorizes offences based on culpability and harm. The maximum sentence is 5 years of custody, but the range can go as low as a fine. Factors that may increase or decrease the sentence are specified, including previous convictions and the offender's personal circumstances.

Maximum sentence

5 years’ custody

Court

Triable either way

Offence range

Fine – 4 years’ custody

Aggravating factors

  • ·Previous convictions
  • ·Offence committed whilst on bail
  • ·Breach committed shortly after order made
  • ·History of disobedience of court orders
  • ·Breach constitutes a further offence
  • ·Offence committed on licence or while subject to post sentence supervision

Mitigating factors

  • ·Breach committed after long period of compliance
  • ·Prompt voluntary surrender/admission of breach
  • ·Age and/or lack of maturity
  • ·Mental disorder or learning disability linked to the commission of the offence
  • ·Sole or primary carer for dependent relatives
  • ·Pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal care
  • ·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 — Determine the offence category
  2. Step 2 — Determine the starting point and category range
  3. Step 3 — Consider any factors indicating a reduction for assistance to the prosecution
  4. Step 4 — Reduction for guilty pleas
  5. Step 5 — Totality principle
  6. Step 6 — 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.