The Sentencing Council has published proposed new guidelines covering arson and criminal damage offences. The guidelines, for courts in England and Wales, will help ensure consistent and proportionate sentencing for these offences.
The guidelines highlight that the impact of arson or criminal damage to national heritage assets such as listed buildings or historic objects can also destroy unique parts of the country’s heritage and history, and that this should be taken into account in sentencing.
The consultation is seeking views on various areas of the draft guideline, including culpability and harm factors and the proposed sentence levels. It will run from until 26 June. Following the consultation, a definitive guideline will be drawn up.