Sexual communication with a child

s.15A Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Triable either way

Sentencing framework

This guideline structures sentencing for the offence of sexual communication with a child by categorizing the seriousness of the crime based on the culpability and harm involved. It details specific aggravating and mitigating factors that can influence the sentence within the prescribed range, which encompasses community orders up to 2 years of custody.

Maximum sentence

2 years’ custody

Court

Triable either way

Starting point

1 year’s custody

Offence range

Community order – 2 years’ custody

Aggravating factors

·Previous convictions
·Offence committed whilst on bail
·Offence motivated by hostility based on any characteristics of the victim

Mitigating factors

·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
·Remorse
·Positive character and/or exemplary conduct
·Demonstration of steps taken to address offending behaviour

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

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.