Sexual assault of a child under 13

s.7 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Crown Court / Magistrates

Sentencing framework

This guideline establishes a structured framework for sentencing in cases of sexual assault against children under 13. It categorizes offences based on the severity of harm and culpability, outlining relevant starting points and ranges for sentences. Aggravating and mitigating factors are considered to adjust sentences according to individual circumstances.

Maximum sentence

14 years’ custody

Court

Crown Court / Magistrates

Starting point

6 years’ custody

Offence range

Community order – 9 years’ custody

Aggravating factors

·Previous convictions
·Offence committed while on bail
·Specific targeting of a particularly vulnerable child
·Location of offence
·Timing of offence
·Use of weapon or other item to frighten or injure
·Victim compelled to leave their home, school, etc
·Failure to comply with current court orders
·Offence committed whilst on licence
·Exploiting contact arrangements with a child to commit an offence
·Presence of others, especially other children
·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
·Commission of offence whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs
·Victim encouraged to recruit others

Mitigating factors

·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
·Remorse
·Previous good character and/or exemplary conduct
·Age and/or lack of maturity
·Mental disorder or learning disability, particularly where linked to the commission of the offence
·Physical disability or serious medical condition requiring urgent, intensive or long-term treatment

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 — starting point and category range
Step 3 — consider any factors which indicate a reduction, such as assistance to the prosecution
Step 4 — reduction for guilty pleas
Step 5 — dangerousness
Step 6 — totality principle
Step 7 — ancillary orders
Step 8 — reasons
Step 9 — consideration for time spent on bail (tagged curfew)

Guideline notes

The guideline applies to all offenders aged 18 and older, who are sentenced on or after the effective date of this guideline regardless of the date of the offence.

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.