R v Finley Wood

R v Finley Wood

The judge was entitled to award only 25% credit for guilty pleas as the appellant had sufficient opportunity to acknowledge guilt before the Crown Court hearing, and the reduction for mitigating factors was adequate; the sentence was not manifestly excessive nor wrong in principle.

Parties
Appellant: Finley Wood; Respondent: Rex
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
10 June 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Sentence
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Causing Death by Dangerous Driving, Causing Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving, Credit for Guilty Plea, Mitigation, Sentencing Guidelines
Criminal Law Sentencing Causing Death by Dangerous Driving Causing Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving Credit for Guilty Plea Mitigation Sentencing Guidelines

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 4 Authorities cited 3 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 3
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Finley Wood

Appellant

Rex

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Sentence

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the appellant should have received full credit (one-third) for guilty pleas rather than 25%
  2. 2 Whether the judge gave sufficient weight to personal mitigation
  3. 3 Whether the sentence was manifestly excessive

Ratio Decidendi

The judge was entitled to award only 25% credit for guilty pleas as the appellant had sufficient opportunity to acknowledge guilt before the Crown Court hearing, and the reduction for mitigating factors was adequate; the sentence was not manifestly excessive nor wrong in principle.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Sentence of 10 years 6 months' imprisonment upheld
  • Concurrent sentences of 3 years' imprisonment for serious injury upheld