R v WC, CA, 29 January 2015, unreported.
On appeal from Leeds Crown Court, where the decision by Mr Justice Coulson on anonymity and his sentencing remarks were reported: R v WC [2014] EWHC 3623
The Lord Chief Justice dismissed the appeal against sentence of a 15 year old boy, who was sentenced to detention for life with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder of school teacher Ann Maguire.
Details
Permission had already been granted for the appeal in this case. The minimum tariff of 20 years is exceptionally high for a defendant who was only 15 years old when he committed the murder. However, the panel of three judges sitting in the Court of Appeal held that the sentencing judge was right to impose such a long term given the “disturbing” facts of the case.
Although the court list indicated that an order for reporting restrictions under s.39 Children & Young Persons Act 1933 may be made at the appeal hearing, the court also upheld the decision not to grant anonymity.
More details when the judgment is handed down.