[2013] EWCA Crim 2366

It was not wrong in principle to pass a sentence on common law conspiracy to cheat the public revenue that was longer than the maximum penalty available for the equivalent statutory offence or the cognate common law charge of conspiracy to defraud. The sentences imposed on the offenders were, however, reduced as the judge had chosen too high a starting point.

CA (Crim Div) (Hallett LJ, Hamblen J, Judge Goss QC (Recorder of Newcastle))

17/12/2013