It’s disturbing to read the Sentencing Guidelines Council’s ‘definitive guidelines’ on breach of anti-social behaviour orders, released 9 December 2008. These guidelines are issued in relation to the sentencing of offenders convicted of breaching an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) who are sentenced on or after 5 January 2009. LT Law Journal looks at why ASBO sentencing is unjust.

Where the breach has caused ’serious harassment, alarm or distress’ or where such harm was intended, the starting point for sentence is 26 weeks’ custody. The sentencing range is custody to two years. (more…)