THIRD GROUP OF PARTSDisposals

PART 10Custodial sentences

CHAPTER 4Adults aged 21 and over

Extended sentences

I1281Term of extended sentence of imprisonment

1

This section applies where the court dealing with an offender for an offence imposes, or is considering whether to impose, an extended sentence of imprisonment under section 279.

C12

The appropriate custodial term is the term of imprisonment that would be imposed in respect of the offence in compliance with section 231(2) (length of discretionary custodial sentences: general provision) if the court did not impose an extended sentence of imprisonment.

C13

The extension period must be a period of such length as the court considers necessary for the purpose of protecting members of the public from serious harm occasioned by the commission by the offender of further specified offences.

This is subject to subsections (4) and (5).

C14

The extension period must—

a

be at least 1 year, and

b

not exceed—

i

5 years in the case of a specified violent offence F2(unless sub-paragraph (iii) applies);

ii

8 years in the case of a specified sexual offence or a specified terrorism offence F1(unless sub-paragraph (iii) applies);

F3iii

10 years in the case of a serious terrorism offence for which the sentence is imposed on or after the day on which section 18 of the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 comes into force.

See section 306(2) for the meanings of “specified violent offence”, “specified sexual offence” F4and “specified terrorism offence”F4, “specified terrorism offence” and “serious terrorism offence”.

C15

The term of the extended sentence of imprisonment must not exceed the maximum term of imprisonment with which the offence is punishable.