[2004] EWCA Crim 3291

The language of the Firearms Act 1968 s.51(A) was plain and unambiguous and it was clear that Parliament had not intended a reduction in the statutory minimum term for pleas of guilty. The rigour of the section was mitigated by the possibility of finding exceptional circumstances which justified a reduction in the minimum term; however, cases where exceptional circumstances arose would be rare.

CA (Crim Div) (Rose LJ, Douglas Brown J, Mackay J)

14/12/2004