“The Sentencing Guidelines Council published the definitive guidelines (in May 2008) which are implemented from 4th August 2008. Significant attention has been paid to the guideline for sentencing adult offenders convicted of possessing a bladed article or offensive weapon ahead of it coming into effect as a result of the current focus on violent crimes involving knives.
The attached note sets out the effect of the guideline, which is not limited to knives, and the recent Court of Appeal decision in Povey [2008] EWCA Crim 1261 which recommended that the guideline be applied in a particular way given current prevalence concerns. Further notification will follow when courts should revert to the approach in the guideline as published.”
Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines – knife crime (PDF)
Sentencing Guidelines Council, 4th August 2008
Source: www.sentencing-guidelines.gov.uk
