REGINA v JOEY SAUNDERS

REGINA v JOEY SAUNDERS

The judge was entitled to find that the victim's religious beliefs and desire to preserve her virginity constituted personal circumstances rendering her particularly vulnerable to increased harm, justifying categorisation in 2B; the sentence imposed was not wrong in principle nor manifestly excessive.

Parties
Prosecution: Regina; Appellant: Joey Saunders
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
15 February 2022
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal Against Sentence
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Rape, Sentencing, Sexual Offences, Vulnerability, Mitigation
Criminal Law Rape Sentencing Sexual Offences Vulnerability Mitigation

Case Brief

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Parties

Regina

Prosecution

Joey Saunders

Appellant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal Against Sentence

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Was the victim 'particularly vulnerable due to personal circumstances' under the sentencing guidelines?
  2. 2 Was the categorisation of the offence correct for sentencing purposes?
  3. 3 Was the sentence manifestly excessive or wrong in principle?

Ratio Decidendi

The judge was entitled to find that the victim's religious beliefs and desire to preserve her virginity constituted personal circumstances rendering her particularly vulnerable to increased harm, justifying categorisation in 2B; the sentence imposed was not wrong in principle nor manifestly excessive.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • sentence of 7 years' imprisonment upheld
  • ancillary orders maintained