R v Abbas Abbass
[2023] EWCA Crim 540
R v Abdul Raheem Howe
4 July 2024
[2024] EWCA Crim 1224
Court of Appeal
A man was convicted of serious crimes, including rape. He appealed his long prison sentence, but the Court of Appeal said the sentence was fair given the crimes and the man's lack of remorse. They also fixed a small mistake in the paperwork about an extra fee.
Key Facts
- •Applicant convicted on 15 counts including 7 rapes, 2 kidnappings, false imprisonment, and perverting the course of justice.
- •Sentenced to concurrent extended sentences, longest being 26 years 8 months (20 years 8 months custodial, 6 years extended license) for rape.
- •Applicant appealed conviction and sentence.
- •Single judge refused leave to appeal.
- •Applicant challenged dangerousness finding, length of custodial sentence, and length of extended license.
- •Pre-sentence report indicated lack of remorse and insight.
Legal Principles
Standard of review for appeals against conviction and sentence.
Court of Appeal Criminal Division
Considerations for imposing extended sentences, including dangerousness.
Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 (implied)
Outcomes
Appeal against conviction dismissed.
Court agreed with single judge's reasons for refusal; no questions of principle raised.
Appeal against sentence dismissed.
Custodial sentence not manifestly excessive; trial judge appropriately considered mitigating factors; finding of dangerousness justified by the facts and lack of remorse; extended license period within discretion.
Victim surcharge of £191 removed from record.
Surcharge not pronounced by judge; open court judgment is determinative.