Courtney Matthew [2019] EWCA Crim 1500

The appellant was convicted after trial of 5 offences of robbery and one of theft and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to an extended sentence of 11 years, comprising a custodial term of 8 years.

The appellant committed a series of robberies, targeting young people, uttering threats and claiming to have a weapon. A knife was produced on two occasions. His defence at trial was that his brother might have committed the offences. A number of the victims had identified him.

The appeal was confined to the finding of dangerousness which was said to be unsupported by the material before the court. The judge said he based his findings on all the material and in particular the appellant’s “calculating attitude” to robbery and the use of violence, an absence of self-control and a propensity to arm himself.

Held: the judge’s process and reasoning was faultless, the extended sentence was one to which he was quite entitled to come.

The appeal was dismissed.