Skip to content

Offences with a terrorist connection

s.69 Sentencing Code · Crown Court / Magistrates

Back to Offence Library

Sentencing framework

The guideline outlines that if an offence has a terrorist connection, that should be treated as an aggravating factor. Courts must assess the seriousness of the offence while considering any terrorist links and apply the appropriate sentencing range, which can include life imprisonment.

Maximum sentence

Life imprisonment

Court

Crown Court / Magistrates

Offence range

Discharge - Life imprisonment

Aggravating factors

  • ·The offence has a terrorist connection (statutory)
  • ·Financial benefit from criminal conduct

The sentencing process, step by step

  1. Step 1 — Identify if the offence has a terrorist connection
  2. Step 2 — Consider aggravating and mitigating factors
  3. Step 3 — Determine the seriousness of the offence
  4. Step 4 — Select the appropriate starting point
  5. Step 5 — Consider any additional lawful orders
  6. Step 6 — Finalize the sentence and notify the offender of obligations

Guideline notes

  • Notification requirements apply to these offences. Confiscation may be ordered if the offender has benefited financially.

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.