Scott, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 1859 (12 November 2025)

Scott, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 1859 (12 November 2025)

The sentence was unduly lenient because the uplift for the firearms offences was insufficient; a proper uplift would have been seven years, resulting in a pre-discount sentence of 18 years. The 15% guilty plea discount was within the judge's discretion. The appropriate sentence is 15 years and three months' imprisonment.

Citation
[2025] EWCA Crim 1859
Parties
Prosecution: Rex; Offender: Chloe Scott
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
12 November 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Attorney General's Reference Under Section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988; Appeal Against Sentence
Outcome
Appeal allowed; sentence increased
Legal Topics
Sentencing, Conspiracy to Supply Drugs, Firearms Offences, Bladed Articles, Animal Welfare Offences, Unduly Lenient Sentence, Guilty Plea Discount
Criminal Law Sentencing Conspiracy to Supply Drugs Firearms Offences Bladed Articles Animal Welfare Offences Unduly Lenient Sentence Guilty Plea Discount

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Parties

Rex

Prosecution

Chloe Scott

Offender

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Attorney General's Reference Under Section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988; Appeal Against Sentence

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the total sentence imposed on Chloe Scott was unduly lenient
  2. 2 Whether the uplift for firearms offences was adequate
  3. 3 Whether the discount for guilty plea was appropriate

Ratio Decidendi

The sentence was unduly lenient because the uplift for the firearms offences was insufficient; a proper uplift would have been seven years, resulting in a pre-discount sentence of 18 years. The 15% guilty plea discount was within the judge's discretion. The appropriate sentence is 15 years and three months' imprisonment.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; sentence increased

Orders

  • Sentence of 12 years' imprisonment on count 1 quashed and substituted with 15 years and three months' imprisonment
  • Concurrent sentences on all other counts remain undisturbed