The Sentencing Advisory Panel has today published its fourth annual report. The report covers the Panel's work from 1 April 2002, including consultation papers and advice to the Court of Appeal on child pornography offences, causing death by dangerous driving, alcohol and tobacco smuggling, and robbery.

Commenting on the Panel's achievements, the Chairman, Professor Martin Wasik, said:

'Over the last four years the Sentencing Advisory Panel has established a reputation as an authoritative, independent source of advice on sentencing guidelines. Since April last year, the Court of Appeal has issued six sentencing guidelines, based on the Panel's advice, on offences as diverse as murder, possession of offensive weapons, child pornography, domestic burglary, rape, and causing death by dangerous driving. That reflects an effective and successful working relationship between the Panel and the Court of Appeal. Planning is now well under way for the establishment of a new Sentencing Guidelines Council under the Criminal Justice Bill. The Panel's role will be strengthened under the new arrangements, and we very much look forward to working with the Council.'

Notes for editors

1. The Sentencing Advisory Panel is an independent advisory and consultative body constituted under sections 80 and 81 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. The Panel is sponsored by the Home Office and the Department for Constitutional Affairs (formerly the Lord Chancellor's Department). It started work on 1 July 1999. Its function is to provide fully researched, objective advice to the Court of Appeal to assist the Court when it frames or revises sentencing guidelines.
2. The current members of the Panel are: Professor Martin Wasik (Chairman); Professor Andrew Ashworth QC (Hon); Lord Chan MBE; His Honour Sir Rhys Davies QC; Mrs Anne Fuller OBE JP; Ms Heather Harker; Professor Frances Heidensohn; His Honour Judge Peter Jones; David Mallen Esq CBE; His Honour Judge Michael Mettyear; Michael Morgan Esq; and Ms Joan Webster QPM.
3. The Court of Appeal has issued the following guideline judgments, based largely on the Panel's advice, in the course of the year: offences involving offensive weapons (Poulton and Celaire [2002] EWCA Crim 2847; offences involving child pornography (Oliver and others [2003] 1 Cr App R (S) 463; rape (Millberry and others, 9 December 2002); domestic burglary (McInerney and Keating [2002] EWCA Crim 3003); and causing death by dangerous driving (Cooksley and others [2003] EWCA Crim 996). The Lord Chief Justice's Practice Statement as to Life Sentences, 31 May 2002, was also based substantially on the Panel's advice.
4. The Panel has recently submitted advice to the Court of Appeal on alcohol and tobacco smuggling, and is about to complete a consultation exercise on robbery.
5. Under the Criminal Justice Bill which is currently before Parliament, a new Sentencing Guidelines Council will be established to take over responsibility for issuing sentencing guidelines. Once the Bill is in force the Sentencing Advisory Panel will submit its advice to the Council rather than to the Court of Appeal. The Panel will be able to offer advice on general sentencing principles as well as specific offences.
6. Copies of the annual report may be obtained from: Gareth Sweny, Sentencing Advisory Panel, Room G11, Allington Towers, 19 Allington Street, London SW1E 5EB (telephone 020 7035 5158; e-mail sap-secretariat@beeb.net). The report is also available on the Panel's website: http://www.sentencing-advisory-panel.gov.uk