Court of Appeal confirms sentencing for criminal attempts following removal of statutory one-half limit.

The Court of Appeal increased a sentence for attempted rape from six and a half to seven years and seven months. This marks a significant early application of sentencing rules after the removal of the statutory limit that previously capped sentences for attempts at half the maximum for the completed offense.

Why it mattersLawyers must be aware that the statutory one-half sentencing cap for criminal attempts no longer applies, potentially leading to harsher penalties for attempted offenses.