Aldrich, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 1415 (21 October 2025)

Aldrich, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 1415 (21 October 2025)

The sentencing judge was entitled, on the evidence available, to assess the appellant's culpability as medium rather than low, and to impose a sentence outside the guideline range due to the extreme harm caused. The judge's reference to the appellant's lies as aggravating was not material to the sentence imposed. The sentence of 28 months' imprisonment was not manifestly excessive or wrong in principle.

Citation
[2025] EWCA Crim 1415
Parties
Respondent: Rex; Appellant: Perry Aldrich
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
21 October 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Sentence
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Arson, Sentencing, Mental Disorder, Culpability, Aggravating and Mitigating Factors
Criminal Law Arson Sentencing Mental Disorder Culpability Aggravating and Mitigating Factors

Case Brief

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Parties

Rex

Respondent

Perry Aldrich

Appellant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Sentence

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the sentencing judge erred in assessing the appellant's culpability as medium rather than low due to mental disorder or learning disability
  2. 2 Whether the judge was wrong to treat the appellant's lies to police as an aggravating factor

Ratio Decidendi

The sentencing judge was entitled, on the evidence available, to assess the appellant's culpability as medium rather than low, and to impose a sentence outside the guideline range due to the extreme harm caused. The judge's reference to the appellant's lies as aggravating was not material to the sentence imposed. The sentence of 28 months' imprisonment was not manifestly excessive or wrong in principle.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Appeal against sentence dismissed.