R v Paula Marie Usherwood & Ors

R v Paula Marie Usherwood & Ors

The minimum terms imposed were not manifestly excessive or wrong in principle; the trial judge correctly applied statutory starting points, weighed aggravating and mitigating features, and the sentences reflected the applicants' roles and culpability in a murder arising from organised crime.

Source-derived case information.

Parties
Prosecution: Rex; Applicant: Paula Marie Usherwood; Applicant: Carla Michelle McGuire; Applicant: Leonard Glen Ward
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
10 February 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Application for Leave to Appeal Against Sentence After Refusal by Single Judge
Outcome
applications for leave to appeal against sentence refused
Legal Topics
Murder, Sentencing, Minimum Term, Joint Enterprise, Organised Crime, Appeal Against Sentence
Criminal Law Murder Sentencing Minimum Term Joint Enterprise Organised Crime Appeal Against Sentence

Source-derived case record

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 2 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 6
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Rex

Prosecution

Paula Marie Usherwood

Applicant

Carla Michelle McGuire

Applicant

Leonard Glen Ward

Applicant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Application for Leave to Appeal Against Sentence After Refusal by Single Judge

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the minimum terms imposed for murder were manifestly excessive or wrong in principle
  2. 2 Whether the trial judge erred in identifying the correct statutory starting point for minimum terms
  3. 3 Whether the trial judge failed to give sufficient weight to mitigation or double-counted aggravating features

Ratio Decidendi

The minimum terms imposed were not manifestly excessive or wrong in principle; the trial judge correctly applied statutory starting points, weighed aggravating and mitigating features, and the sentences reflected the applicants' roles and culpability in a murder arising from organised crime.

Court Disposition

applications for leave to appeal against sentence refused