Cassidy & Anor, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 700 (09 June 2025)

Cassidy & Anor, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 700 (09 June 2025)

The sentencing judge did not err in principle in granting a 15% discount for guilty plea, as the pleas were entered after the effective commencement of trial and after substantive defences had been maintained. The reduction for Covid-19 conditions was within the proper range for long sentences. No unjustified disparity or manifest excess was established.

Citation
[2025] EWCA Crim 700
Parties
Prosecution: Rex; Appellant: Jonathan Cassidy; Applicant/appellant: Nasar Ahmed
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
09 June 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Sentence
Outcome
Appeal dismissed; renewed application for leave refused; representation order granted for Ahmed's counsel.
Legal Topics
Sentencing, Drug Offences, Conspiracy, Money Laundering, Guilty Plea Credit, Mitigation, Disparity in Sentencing
Criminal Law Sentencing Drug Offences Conspiracy Money Laundering Guilty Plea Credit Mitigation Disparity in Sentencing

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 3 Authorities cited 6 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 20
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Rex

Prosecution

Jonathan Cassidy

Appellant

Nasar Ahmed

Applicant/appellant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Sentence

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the sentencing judge failed to give due weight to exceptional mitigating factors (Covid-19 remand and prison conditions)
  2. 2 Whether the discount for guilty plea was insufficient (15% instead of 25%)
  3. 3 Whether there was unjustified disparity between sentences of co-defendants

Ratio Decidendi

The sentencing judge did not err in principle in granting a 15% discount for guilty plea, as the pleas were entered after the effective commencement of trial and after substantive defences had been maintained. The reduction for Covid-19 conditions was within the proper range for long sentences. No unjustified disparity or manifest excess was established.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed; renewed application for leave refused; representation order granted for Ahmed's counsel.

Orders

  • Cassidy's appeal against sentence dismissed.
  • Ahmed's renewed application for leave to appeal refused.