Member

The Government have therefore opted for a more general approach, whereby the Bill prevents sentencing guidelines about pre-sentence reports being framed by reference to any personal characteristic of an offender. On balance, we consider this to be the best way of ensuring that offenders receive equal access to pre-sentence reports. I also emphasise that, as detailed in the Bill’s Explanatory Notes, it does not change existing precedent where the courts have determined that pre-sentence reports are necessary or desirable, in cases such as Thompson, where the Court of Appeal recently emphasised their importance in sentencing pregnant women or women who have recently given birth.