Robbery – street and less sophisticated commercial

s.8(1) Theft Act 1968 · Crown Court

Sentencing framework

The guideline for sentencing robbery in public and less sophisticated commercial contexts establishes a structured approach based on culpability and harm, categorizing offences into three levels of seriousness. Each category has specified starting points and ranges for sentencing. Aggravating factors, such as previous convictions and the use of planning, increase the severity of sentences, while mitigating factors, like lack of prior convictions or genuine remorse, can lead to reduced sentences. The ultimate aim is to ensure that the penalties reflect the nature of the crime, taking into account both the harm caused and the offender's circumstances.

Maximum sentence

Life imprisonment

Court

Crown Court

Starting point

8 years’ custody

Offence range

Community order – 12 years’ custody

Aggravating factors

·Previous convictions
·Offence committed whilst on bail
·High value goods or sums targeted or obtained
·Victim is targeted due to a vulnerability
·Significant planning
·Steps taken to prevent the victim reporting or obtaining assistance
·Prolonged nature of event
·Restraint, detention or additional degradation of the victim
·A leading role where offending is part of a group activity
·Involvement of others through coercion, intimidation or exploitation
·Location of the offence
·Timing of the offence
·Attempt to conceal identity
·Commission of offence whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs
·Attempts to conceal/dispose of evidence
·Established evidence of community/wider impact
·Failure to comply with current court orders
·Offence committed on licence
·Offences taken into consideration
·Failure to respond to warnings about behaviour

Mitigating factors

·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
·Remorse, particularly where evidenced by voluntary reparation to the victim
·Positive character and/or exemplary conduct
·Serious medical condition requiring urgent, intensive or long-term treatment
·Age and/or lack of maturity
·Mental disorder or learning disability (where not linked to the commission of the offence)
·Little or no planning
·Sole or primary carer for dependent relatives
·Determination and/or demonstration of steps taken to address addiction or offending behaviour
·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

Step 1 — Determining the offence category
Step 2 — Assessing culpability
Step 3 — Assessing harm
Step 4 — Starting point and category range
Step 5 — Considering any factors which indicate a reduction
Step 6 — Dangerousness
Step 7 — Totality principle
Step 8 — Reasons for the sentence
Step 9 — Consideration for time spent on bail

Guideline notes

Guideline users should be aware that the Equal Treatment Bench Book covers important aspects of fair treatment and disparity of outcomes for different groups in the criminal justice system.

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.