Charles Crane [2019] EWCA Crim 1797

The appellant pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual harm and theft. He was sentenced to a total of 7 years imprisonment.

The appellant met the complainant when he was 33, and she was 13. She was in care and vulnerable, with the mental age of a 6-year-old. The appellant was served with a Child Abduction Warning Order, and it was believed he had breached it on many occasions without prosecution.

The grievous bodily harm occurred when she went to his address late; he grabbed her by the hair pulling her down the stairs, also hitting her on the head with the metal handle of a hammer.  A photograph taken some weeks later showed a small healed scar to her scalp. The second assault occurred when she thought the appellant was in custody and went to his address to get her things. He punched her to the eye and arms causing bruising before demanding sex. Afterwards, he cut her trousers and pushed her out into the street, half-dressed.

Held: the totality of the offending carried out by the appellant cannot be said to be manifestly excessive. The total term was richly deserved.