Mohamed Qasim [2019] EWCA Crim 1715

The appellant pleaded guilty to one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to an extended sentence of 15 years comprising a custodial term of 10 years 6 months and a concurrent term of 15 months for the weapon.

It was submitted that the starting point was too high and that there was serious disparity between this appellant and the sentences passed on two co-accused; further, the finding of dangerousness was wrong.

Held: the Court was not persuaded that the disparity was so great as to make it unfair. In light of the observations by the author of the pre-sentence report and the nature of the extremely violent attack, the judge was fully entitled to conclude that the appellant was dangerous.

The appeal was dismissed.