Sahota & Sahota Solicitors, criminal defence solicitors in Leicester, secured a favourable outcome for a client facing an imitation firearm charge at Leicester Crown Court. Our client received 9 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months, with probation requirements, for possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
The result followed discussions with the prosecution, a guilty plea on a favourable basis and a successful application for a Goodyear indication, in which the Judge confirmed that he would not impose immediate imprisonment.
Possessing an Imitation Firearm with Intent to Cause Fear of Violence
Our client faced a single count of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, contrary to section 16A of the Firearms Act 1968. The charge arose from an incident involving an imitation handgun during a family dispute in Leicester.
Although the charge concerned an imitation firearm, this remains a serious criminal offence with potentially significant sentencing consequences. Under the Sentencing Council’s firearms sentencing guideline, the highest category for an imitation firearm offence carries a starting point of 6 years’ imprisonment, with a sentencing range of 4 to 8 years’ imprisonment. The category applicable to an individual case depends on the defendant’s culpability and the harm caused or risked.
Crown Court Representation and a Favourable Basis of Plea
Following discussions with the prosecution on the day listed for trial, our client pleaded guilty on a favourable basis.
What Is a Goodyear Indication?
A Goodyear indication allows a defendant to ask a Crown Court judge for an advance indication of the maximum sentence the court would impose if they pleaded guilty at that stage. It helps the defendant make an informed decision about their plea, which remains their own decision.
In this case, we sought a Goodyear indication and the judge listened carefully to the submissions before confirming that our client would not receive immediate imprisonment.
Suspended Sentence for an Imitation Firearm Offence
At sentencing, the court imposed 9 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months, together with probation requirements. Our client therefore avoided an immediate prison sentence, subject to complying with the requirements of the order and avoiding further offending.
Our client was delighted with the outcome. The case demonstrates the importance of careful preparation, prosecution discussions and effective Crown Court representation when defending serious firearms allegations.
Criminal Defence Solicitors Across England and Wales
Sahota & Sahota Solicitors represent clients facing firearms charges, police investigations and Crown Court proceedings in Leicester and across England and Wales.
If you need advice about an imitation firearm allegation, representation at a police interview or assistance with Crown Court sentencing, contact our criminal defence team on 0116 255 5155.
Sahota & Sahota Solicitors secured a favourable outcome at Leicester Crown Court, where our client received 9 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months, with probation requirements, for possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
The result followed discussions with the prosecution, a guilty plea on a favourable basis and a successful application for a Goodyear indication, in which the judge confirmed that he would not impose immediate imprisonment.
A serious offence with significant sentencing consequences
Our client faced a single count of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, contrary to section 16A of the Firearms Act 1968. The charge arose from an incident involving an imitation handgun during a family dispute in Leicester.
Although the charge concerned an imitation firearm, this remains a serious criminal offence. Under the Sentencing Council’s guideline, the highest category for an imitation firearm offence carries a starting point of 6 years’ imprisonment, with a sentencing range of 4 to 8 years imprisonment. The category applicable in any individual case depends on the defendant’s culpability and the harm caused or risked.
What is a Goodyear indication?
We also sought a Goodyear indication. This is a procedure through which a defendant can ask the judge for an advance indication of the maximum sentence the court would impose if they pleaded guilty at that stage. It helps the defendant make an informed decision about their plea, which remains their own decision.
In this case, the judge listened carefully to the submissions and indicated that our client would not receive immediate imprisonment.
Suspended Sentence Imposed
At sentencing, the court imposed 9 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months, together with probation requirements. Our client therefore avoided an immediate prison sentence, subject to complying with the requirements of the order and avoiding further offending.
Our client was delighted with the outcome. The case demonstrates the importance of addressing the factual basis of a plea carefully and making effective use of the procedures available in the Crown Court.
Sahota & Sahota Solicitors represent clients facing firearms allegations and other serious criminal charges in Leicester and across England and Wales. For advice on a police investigation, Crown Court proceedings or sentencing, contact our team on 0116 255 5155.
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Sahota & Sahota Solicitors, criminal defence solicitors in Leicester, secured a favourable outcome for a client facing an imitation firearm charge at Leicester Crown Court. Our client received 9 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months, with probation requirements, for possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
The result followed discussions with the prosecution, a guilty plea on a favourable basis and a successful application for a Goodyear indication, in which the Judge confirmed that he would not impose immediate imprisonment.
Possessing an Imitation Firearm with Intent to Cause Fear of Violence
Our client faced a single count of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, contrary to section 16A of the Firearms Act 1968. The charge arose from an incident involving an imitation handgun during a family dispute in Leicester.
Although the charge concerned an imitation firearm, this remains a serious criminal offence with potentially significant sentencing consequences. Under the Sentencing Council’s firearms sentencing guideline, the highest category for an imitation firearm offence carries a starting point of 6 years’ imprisonment, with a sentencing range of 4 to 8 years’ imprisonment. The category applicable to an individual case depends on the defendant’s culpability and the harm caused or risked.
Crown Court Representation and a Favourable Basis of Plea
Following discussions with the prosecution on the day listed for trial, our client pleaded guilty on a favourable basis.
What Is a Goodyear Indication?
A Goodyear indication allows a defendant to ask a Crown Court judge for an advance indication of the maximum sentence the court would impose if they pleaded guilty at that stage. It helps the defendant make an informed decision about their plea, which remains their own decision.
In this case, we sought a Goodyear indication and the judge listened carefully to the submissions before confirming that our client would not receive immediate imprisonment.
Suspended Sentence for an Imitation Firearm Offence
At sentencing, the court imposed 9 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months, together with probation requirements. Our client therefore avoided an immediate prison sentence, subject to complying with the requirements of the order and avoiding further offending.
Our client was delighted with the outcome. The case demonstrates the importance of careful preparation, prosecution discussions and effective Crown Court representation when defending serious firearms allegations.
Criminal Defence Solicitors Across England and Wales
Sahota & Sahota Solicitors represent clients facing firearms charges, police investigations and Crown Court proceedings in Leicester and across England and Wales.
If you need advice about an imitation firearm allegation, representation at a police interview or assistance with Crown Court sentencing, contact our criminal defence team on 0116 255 5155.
Sahota & Sahota Solicitors secured a favourable outcome at Leicester Crown Court, where our client received 9 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months, with probation requirements, for possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
The result followed discussions with the prosecution, a guilty plea on a favourable basis and a successful application for a Goodyear indication, in which the judge confirmed that he would not impose immediate imprisonment.
A serious offence with significant sentencing consequences
Our client faced a single count of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, contrary to section 16A of the Firearms Act 1968. The charge arose from an incident involving an imitation handgun during a family dispute in Leicester.
Although the charge concerned an imitation firearm, this remains a serious criminal offence. Under the Sentencing Council’s guideline, the highest category for an imitation firearm offence carries a starting point of 6 years’ imprisonment, with a sentencing range of 4 to 8 years imprisonment. The category applicable in any individual case depends on the defendant’s culpability and the harm caused or risked.
What is a Goodyear indication?
We also sought a Goodyear indication. This is a procedure through which a defendant can ask the judge for an advance indication of the maximum sentence the court would impose if they pleaded guilty at that stage. It helps the defendant make an informed decision about their plea, which remains their own decision.
In this case, the judge listened carefully to the submissions and indicated that our client would not receive immediate imprisonment.
Suspended Sentence Imposed
At sentencing, the court imposed 9 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months, together with probation requirements. Our client therefore avoided an immediate prison sentence, subject to complying with the requirements of the order and avoiding further offending.
Our client was delighted with the outcome. The case demonstrates the importance of addressing the factual basis of a plea carefully and making effective use of the procedures available in the Crown Court.
Sahota & Sahota Solicitors represent clients facing firearms allegations and other serious criminal charges in Leicester and across England and Wales. For advice on a police investigation, Crown Court proceedings or sentencing, contact our team on 0116 255 5155.
