[2012] EWCA Crim 1492
The court quashed lengthy sentences of imprisonment imposed on two offenders who had pleaded guilty to violent disorder. They had become involved in a street brawl after fearing for the safety of an individual outnumbered by a large and threatening group. The sentencing judge had seriously over-estimated their culpability and, if custody was warranted at all, short suspended sentences should have been imposed.
CA (Crim Div) (Hooper LJ, Hamblen J, Thirlwall J)
27/06/2012