Section 50 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 amends section 22 and paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, to ensure that where criminal damage is caused to a memorial the case can be heard in either the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court, such that the courts can sentence appropriately and issue penalties that reflect the true level of harm and culpability, thereby addressing the concern around the current limits on mode of trial and sentencing.
The provision comes into effect on 28 June 2022 and will not be retrospective and will extend to England and Wales only.
This circular provides information on this provision and on other amendments to criminal offences.
Related link
Circular 005/2022: Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022
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