Assault cases - Guidelines Council consults on revised sentencing framework

The Sentencing Guidelines Council is consulting on a revised framework for sentencing assault cases - see SGC Consultations.  There is a "Public Consultation" and a "Professional Consultation".

The Independent newspaper view of the consultation may be seen here.   The Chairman of the Council (Lord Justice Leveson) claims that the revised guidance is not aimed primarily at cutting prison costs by reducing the use of imprisonment for these offences.  He claims that he is seeking a fair, proportionate and understandable system as well as consistency of approach across the country.  The reader can be the judge of that by responding to, at least, the public consultation.

The consultation looks at the whole range of possible "assault" charges from grievous bodily harm to common assault.