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Meeting a child following sexual grooming

s.15 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Both

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Sentencing framework

The guideline structures sentencing for the offence by first determining the offence category based on factors of culpability and harm. The categories range from high culpability and harm to grooming without raised factors. The starting point and range of sentences differ across categories, with adjustments possible based on specific aggravating or mitigating factors.

Maximum sentence

10 years’ custody

Court

Both

Offence range

1 – 7 years’ custody

Aggravating factors

  • ·Previous convictions
  • ·Offence committed whilst on bail
  • ·Failure to comply with current court orders
  • ·Offence committed whilst on licence
  • ·Any steps taken to prevent the victim reporting an incident, obtaining assistance and/or from assisting or supporting the prosecution
  • ·Attempts to dispose of or conceal evidence
  • ·Victim encouraged to recruit others

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 — Consider any factors which indicate a reduction, such as assistance to the prosecution.
  4. Step 4 — Reduction for guilty plea.
  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).

Guideline notes

  • Each court must follow any sentencing guidelines relevant to the offender’s case unless satisfied it would be contrary to the interests of justice.

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.