Robinson, R. v [2020] NICC 16 (27 November 2020)

Robinson, R. v [2020] NICC 16 (27 November 2020)

The defendant played an integral and culpable role in the planning and execution of a terrorist murder of a prison officer, an offence of exceptional gravity warranting a minimum term of 22 years before eligibility for parole, with no significant personal mitigation to reduce the tariff.

Citation
[2020] NICC 16
Parties
Prosecution: The Queen; Defendant: Christopher Robinson
Jurisdiction
Northern Ireland
Judgment Date
27 November 2020
Procedural Posture
Criminal / Sentencing After Conviction
Outcome
convicted and sentenced
Legal Topics
Murder, Explosives Offences, Terrorist Offences, Sentencing, Minimum Term Determination
Criminal Law Counter Terrorism Murder Explosives Offences Terrorist Offences Sentencing Minimum Term Determination

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Parties

The Queen

Prosecution

Christopher Robinson

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Criminal / Sentencing After Conviction

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Determination of minimum term for life sentence for murder with terrorist connection
  2. 2 Sentencing for causing explosion with intent to endanger life
  3. 3 Consideration of aggravating and mitigating factors in terrorist murder of a prison officer

Ratio Decidendi

The defendant played an integral and culpable role in the planning and execution of a terrorist murder of a prison officer, an offence of exceptional gravity warranting a minimum term of 22 years before eligibility for parole, with no significant personal mitigation to reduce the tariff.

Court Disposition

convicted and sentenced

Orders

  • Life imprisonment for murder with a minimum term of 22 years before parole eligibility, less 447 days credit for time served.
  • 20 years imprisonment for causing explosion with intent to endanger life, to run concurrently with life sentence.