Coley, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 418 (07 March 2025)

Coley, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 418 (07 March 2025)

The sentencing judge correctly assessed the offence as Category A1 due to the combination of harm factors and culpability, properly applied aggravating and mitigating factors, and the resulting custodial term of 18 years was neither excessive nor wrong in principle.

Citation
[2025] EWCA Crim 418
Parties
Prosecution: Rex; Appellant: Mark Coley
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
07 March 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Sentence
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Rape, Controlling or Coercive Behaviour, Sentencing, Extended Determinate Sentence, Sexual Offences
Criminal Law Rape Controlling or Coercive Behaviour Sentencing Extended Determinate Sentence Sexual Offences

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Parties

Rex

Prosecution

Mark Coley

Appellant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Sentence

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the custodial term of 18 years for rape and controlling or coercive behaviour was excessive
  2. 2 Whether the sentencing judge correctly applied the Sentencing Guidelines for rape

Ratio Decidendi

The sentencing judge correctly assessed the offence as Category A1 due to the combination of harm factors and culpability, properly applied aggravating and mitigating factors, and the resulting custodial term of 18 years was neither excessive nor wrong in principle.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Appeal against sentence dismissed
  • Custodial term of 18 years and extended licence of 4 years to stand