Rawlings Akonedo [2019] EWCA Crim 1125

The application pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary for which he was sentenced to 5 years detention, with a further 2 years concurrent for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The victim was at home when the co-accused entered and struck him numerous times with a claw hammer, the applicant and another co-accused then entered through the back door. The applicant struck the victim in the face a few times and demanded to know where the money was and asking for cannabis. The whole incident lasted around 20 minutes and the victim sustained bruising to both arms, cuts to his leg and bruising and swelling to his face.

It was argued on behalf of the applicant that the starting point should have been reduced as he was a youth at the time of the offence, and that insufficient account was taken of his good character.

Held: the judge did make a reduction for his age and he was almost 18 when the offence was committed. The appeal was dismissed.