Muldoon, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 1595 (18 November 2025)

Muldoon, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 1595 (18 November 2025)

The sentencing judge was entitled, on the evidence and findings of fact, to categorise the offender's culpability as category B rather than category A. The judge's assessment was careful, based on four weeks of evidence, and not irrational or unsupported. The sentence imposed was not unduly lenient and did not fall outside the reasonable range. The application for leave to refer the sentence is refused.

Citation
[2025] EWCA Crim 1595
Parties
Prosecution: Rex; Offender/respondent: Keaton Muldoon
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
18 November 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal (attorney General's Reference) / Application for Leave to Refer Sentence as Unduly Lenient
Outcome
Application for leave to refer sentence refused; Reference refused.
Legal Topics
Causing Death by Dangerous Driving, Sentencing, Attorney General's Reference, Culpability Categorisation
Criminal Law Causing Death by Dangerous Driving Sentencing Attorney General's Reference Culpability Categorisation

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 2 Authorities cited 3 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 4
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Rex

Prosecution

Keaton Muldoon

Offender/respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal (attorney General's Reference) / Application for Leave to Refer Sentence as Unduly Lenient

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the sentencing judge erred in categorising the offender's culpability as category B rather than category A for causing death by dangerous driving
  2. 2 Whether the sentence imposed was unduly lenient

Ratio Decidendi

The sentencing judge was entitled, on the evidence and findings of fact, to categorise the offender's culpability as category B rather than category A. The judge's assessment was careful, based on four weeks of evidence, and not irrational or unsupported. The sentence imposed was not unduly lenient and did not fall outside the reasonable range. The application for leave to refer the sentence is refused.

Court Disposition

Application for leave to refer sentence refused; Reference refused.

Orders

  • Leave to refer sentence as unduly lenient is refused.
  • Reference by the Attorney General is refused.