my b.f has been remanded

[bubblegal]

my boyfriend has been done for previous assault. also been in prison 4times before and he is now in remand for sec 20 wounding also a dwelling house burgarly how long is he looking at

[Iamblue]

Not long enough

[Buenchico]

The maximum penalty for a Section 20 offence is 5 years imprisonment. With his previous record (and the aggravating factor of the burglary charge), it's likely that the court would consider the maximum sentence but possibly with a reduction for an early guilty plea.

My guess is that if your boyfriend pleads not guilty, but is convicted, the sentence will be between 4 and 5 years. If he pleads guilty at the earliest opportunity, he might get a year or so less.

It's also possible, if the court believes that your boyfriend presents a danger to the public, that an IPP ('in the interests of public protection') might be passed. This is similar to a life sentence in that the court sets a minimum period for imprisonment but the offender is not released (if ever) until he's proved that it's safe for this to happen. If an IPP was passed, it's likely that the minimum tariff would be around 4 years.

To summarize:
If your boyfriend pleads guilty as soon as possible, he'll probably actually be 'banged up' for around 1� to 2 years.

If he pleads not guilty, but is convicted, he'll probably actually be 'inside' for 2 to 2� years.

If he's given an IPP, he'll probably be in prison for at least 4 years, possibly much longer.

Chris

[CheekyChops]

And he is still your boyfriend because...?

[ChocolatChip]

My thoughts exactly Cheeky

[bubblegal]

yes hes solicitor said he could either be looking at 3yrs and do 18month ... but saying that he could get 5yrs and do 2 and half inside. he entered a guilty plea straight away... he was in court monday and it was ajurned til 23rd april and said the trial will last a week wat does that mean ??

[Buenchico]

You've certainly got me confused. If your boyfriend is pleading guilty there can be no trial. The normal procedure is that the initial court hearing is in a magistrates' court. The magistrates would almost certainly decide that the likely sentence would exceed their maximum sentencing power of 6 months, so they'd refer the case to the Crown Court.

The Crown Court would accept a guilty plea at a 'p&d' (= 'plea and directions') hearing and adjourn the matter for reports. There would then be a sentencing hearing, which normally lasts anywhere from a few minutes to a half day. (I've given a slightly shortened version of things here. Many cases have additional 'procedural' court hearings but the basic pattern is still the same). At no point would there be a trial (since the whole point of a trial is to determine innocence or guilt, which can't happen if a guilty plea has already been entered).

You need to ask your boyfriend and/or his solicitor further questions. A guilty plea and a trial just don't 'add up'. Perhaps your boyfriend is pleading guilty to one charge but not to the other?

Chris

[tufty7]

As he has pleaded guilty he needs to be locked away as he is an abitual offender, you will never change him , perhaps you are attracted to his rogue side and feel you cannot break away from him or feel threatened by him , it must be very comforting for him that he has a bed being kept warm for him when he has done his time, take some good advice , move on and leave him where he belongs ......

[figure]

No offence meant, but only in your best interest, I think you should find yourself a new boyfriend.

[bubblegal]

i really dont think i can leave him though... im am only 17 and he is 19..... but he treats me really well ..... and yes i think e pleaded guilty 2 one offence but not the other because they was another person involved in the section 20 and he is only looking at 8month because my boyfriend took all the wrap for him.. because the other lad kidnapped him and scared him basically ...

[Stu Dent]

You won't need to leave him. Her Majesty will require him to leave you. He may return to you occasionally, but he'll soon be away again. Hopefully you won't be saddled with his offspring.