R v Adam Reed

R v Adam Reed

The extended sentence as originally imposed was unlawful because the four-year term condition was not met by a single sentence for a specified offence. The correct approach was to treat the false imprisonment as the lead offence, impose a five-year custodial term with a two-year extended licence, and run all other sentences concurrently, resulting in a total extended sentence of seven years. The original sentence was manifestly excessive and not just or proportionate to the offending as a whole.

Parties
Applicant: Adam Reed; Respondent: Rex
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
29 January 2026
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Sentence
Outcome
Appeal allowed in part; sentence varied
Legal Topics
Sentencing, Extended Sentences, Dangerous Offenders, Totality Principle, Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm, False Imprisonment, Threats to Kill, Assault of Emergency Worker
Criminal Law Sentencing Extended Sentences Dangerous Offenders Totality Principle Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm False Imprisonment Threats to Kill +1 more

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 7 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 12
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Adam Reed

Applicant

Rex

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Sentence

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the imposition of an extended sentence was lawful under the Sentencing Code 2020
  2. 2 Whether the assault occasioning actual bodily harm was wrongly categorised resulting in an excessive starting point
  3. 3 Whether the overall sentence was manifestly excessive

Ratio Decidendi

The extended sentence as originally imposed was unlawful because the four-year term condition was not met by a single sentence for a specified offence. The correct approach was to treat the false imprisonment as the lead offence, impose a five-year custodial term with a two-year extended licence, and run all other sentences concurrently, resulting in a total extended sentence of seven years. The original sentence was manifestly excessive and not just or proportionate to the offending as a whole.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed in part; sentence varied

Orders

  • Quash the sentence of 27 months for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and substitute 18 months' imprisonment
  • Quash the sentence of three years nine months for false imprisonment and substitute five years' imprisonment