Kahar [2018] EWCA Crim 2522

The appellant (18 at the time of the offence) was involved in a police chase through residential streets, he was also uninsured and without a driving licence. The driving was prolonged, persistent and a deliberate course of bad driving in a residential area at speeds approaching 80mph on roads limited to 30mph. He was sentenced to 12 months’ detention.

The appeal was on the grounds that it ought to have been suspended given the mitigation, age, case law on immaturity and applicability of the youth sentencing guidelines. Although no damage was caused, nor collision occurred, he showed disregard for the danger he posed.

Held: the sentence may be severe for one of his age without convictions, but the driving was so dangerous and so sustained in duration that it was not manifestly excessive.