Cook, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 1476 (30 October 2025)

Cook, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 1476 (30 October 2025)

The sentence of 18 years' imprisonment was not manifestly excessive or wrong in principle given the multiple deaths, aggravating features, and context of the offence. The sentencing judge was entitled to go outside the category range before applying the guilty plea discount. The only error was in the calculation of...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2025] EWCA Crim 1476
Parties
Prosecution: Rex; Applicant: Robbie Cook
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
30 October 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Renewed Application for Leave to Appeal Against Sentence
Outcome
application for leave to appeal dismissed; driving disqualification period varied
Legal Topics
Causing Death by Dangerous Driving, Perverting the Course of Justice, Sentencing Guidelines, Appeal Against Sentence
Criminal Law Causing Death by Dangerous Driving Perverting the Course of Justice Sentencing Guidelines 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 1 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 5
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Rex

Prosecution

Robbie Cook

Applicant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Renewed Application for Leave to Appeal Against Sentence

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the sentence of 18 years' imprisonment for causing death by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice was manifestly excessive
  2. 2 Whether the sentencing judge failed to give sufficient weight to mitigating factors, including the actions of the deceased
  3. 3 Whether the sentencing judge correctly applied the sentencing guidelines and identified aggravating and mitigating features

Ratio Decidendi

The sentence of 18 years' imprisonment was not manifestly excessive or wrong in principle given the multiple deaths, aggravating features, and context of the offence. The sentencing judge was entitled to go outside the category range before applying the guilty plea discount. The only error was in the calculation of the driving disqualification period, which is corrected to 17 years.

Court Disposition

application for leave to appeal dismissed; driving disqualification period varied

Orders

  • Application for leave to appeal against sentence dismissed
  • Driving disqualification period quashed and replaced with 5-year disqualification plus 12-year uplift (total 17 years)