Kurtev, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 149 (07 February 2025)

Kurtev, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 149 (07 February 2025)

The original sentence was unduly lenient because the offence was at the upper end of medium culpability, the reduction for plea was excessive given the timing, and the appropriate sentence after mitigation and reduction for plea should have been six years' imprisonment.

Citation
[2025] EWCA Crim 149
Parties
Prosecution: Rex; Offender: Rashko Kurtev
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
07 February 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal (attorney General's Reference) / Appeal Against Sentence Under S.36 Criminal Justice Act 1988
Outcome
Appeal allowed; sentence increased
Legal Topics
Unlawful Act Manslaughter, Sentencing, Reduction for Plea, Culpability Assessment, Attorney General's Reference, Unduly Lenient Sentence

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Parties

Rex

Prosecution

Rashko Kurtev

Offender

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal (attorney General's Reference) / Appeal Against Sentence Under S.36 Criminal Justice Act 1988

  1. 1 Whether the original sentence for unlawful act manslaughter was unduly lenient
  2. 2 Proper categorisation of culpability under Sentencing Council guidelines
  3. 3 Appropriate reduction for guilty plea

Ratio Decidendi

The original sentence was unduly lenient because the offence was at the upper end of medium culpability, the reduction for plea was excessive given the timing, and the appropriate sentence after mitigation and reduction for plea should have been six years' imprisonment.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; sentence increased

Orders

  • Sentence of three years nine months' imprisonment quashed
  • Substituted sentence of six years' imprisonment imposed