The By Lawyers Criminal Offences App has been updated

The By Lawyers Criminal Offences App has been amended according to the Sentencing Council’s recent changes following a consultation carried out to assist judges in sentencing certain offences. 

These include new sentencing guidelines for:

• blackmail, contrary to s 21 of the Theft Act 1968;
• the common law offences of kidnapping and false imprisonment;
• vehicle registration fraud, including: 
  • forging;
  • altering; or
  • fraudulently using number plates;
• offences involving taking vehicles without the owner’s consent:
  • aggravated vehicle taking – death caused;
  • aggravated vehicle taking – injury caused;
  • aggravated vehicle taking – dangerous driving;
  • aggravated vehicle taking – vehicle or property damage caused.

The Sentencing Council has also published a new overarching guideline consolidating all existing guidance on driver disqualification.

The existing sentencing guidelines for using a mobile phone while driving have been amended. The starting point fine is increased from Band A, which is 50% of the offender’s weekly income, to Band B, which is 100% of the offender’s weekly income.

These new guidelines come into effect on 1 April 2025.