R v Mark Adrian Leacock & Anor

R v Mark Adrian Leacock & Anor

The sentences imposed were unduly lenient due to failure to properly apply sentencing guidelines, insufficient upward adjustment for multiple high culpability factors and aggravating previous convictions, incorrect treatment of vulnerability and harm, and improper totality adjustment. Appropriate sentences required upward adjustment and consecutive sentencing for drug offences.

Parties
Prosecution: Rex; First Offender: Mark Adrian Leacock; Second Offender: Justin Reis
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
01 April 2026
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Reference by Attorney General Under S.36 Criminal Justice Act; Sentencing Appeal
Outcome
Sentences quashed and substituted
Legal Topics
Sentencing, Fraud, Drug Offences, Conspiracy, Vulnerable Victims, Totality, Suspended Sentences, Unduly Lenient Sentences
Criminal Law Sentencing Fraud Drug Offences Conspiracy Vulnerable Victims Totality Suspended Sentences +1 more

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Parties

Rex

Prosecution

Mark Adrian Leacock

First Offender

Justin Reis

Second Offender

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Reference by Attorney General Under S.36 Criminal Justice Act; Sentencing Appeal

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the sentences imposed for conspiracy to commit fraud and drug offences were unduly lenient
  2. 2 Proper categorisation of culpability and harm under sentencing guidelines
  3. 3 Appropriate adjustment for aggravating features and totality

Ratio Decidendi

The sentences imposed were unduly lenient due to failure to properly apply sentencing guidelines, insufficient upward adjustment for multiple high culpability factors and aggravating previous convictions, incorrect treatment of vulnerability and harm, and improper totality adjustment. Appropriate sentences required upward adjustment and consecutive sentencing for drug offences.

Court Disposition

Sentences quashed and substituted

Orders

  • Leacock: 2 years 8 months for fraud, 16 months for each drug offence, drug sentences concurrent to each other but consecutive to fraud
  • Reis: 3 years' imprisonment substituted for suspended sentence