Affray
Public Order Act 1986 s.3
Maximum sentence: 3 years’ custody · guideline effective from 01 January 2020
Independent editorial summary — not an official statement of the court, tribunal, or regulator.
This is a reference summary — not a definitive sentence
Sentencing is highly fact-specific. The judge follows a structured process: (1) determine offence category (harm × culpability); (2) identify starting point and range; (3) apply aggravating/mitigating factors; (4) consider guilty-plea reduction; (5) consider totality and ancillary orders. Only the authoritative Sentencing Council guideline gives the full grid for this offence.
The structured 5-step process
- Offence category. Determine harm and culpability (usually 1-3 each) — this gives a 3×3 grid.
- Starting point and range. The guideline specifies a starting-point sentence for each cell of the grid plus a range above and below.
- Adjust for factors. Apply statutory and offence-specific aggravators (e.g. previous convictions, on bail, hate motivation) and mitigators (e.g. first offence, age, sole carer status).
- Guilty-plea reduction. Up to one-third reduction for plea at first reasonable opportunity (sliding scale down to 10% if pleaded at trial).
- Totality, ancillaries, reasons. Consider concurrent/consecutive sentences, ancillary orders (compensation, restraining, driving disqualification, victim surcharge), and give reasons.
Factors increasing seriousness
Verbatim from the Sentencing Council guideline (non-exhaustive list).
- Previous convictions
- Offence committed whilst on bail
- Offence motivated by, or demonstrating hostility based on any of the following characteristics or presumed characteristics of the victim: religion, race, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity
- Incident occurred in busy public area
- Leading role where offending is part of group activity
- Offender threw missiles/objects
- Incident occurred in victim’s home
- Vulnerable persons or children present during incident
- Prolonged incident
- Significant impact on public resources
- Threats or violence directed towards public servants in the course of their duty
- Injury to service animal
- Commission of offence whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Large number of persons affected
Factors reducing seriousness or reflecting personal mitigation
Verbatim from the Sentencing Council guideline (non-exhaustive list).
- No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
- Positive character and/or exemplary conduct (regardless of previous convictions)
- Remorse
- Incident shortlived
- Evidence of steps initially taken to defuse incident
- Significant degree of provocation
- Low level involvement
- Minor/peripheral role in group activity
- No members of public present other than those participating in violence
- Age and/or lack of maturity (which may be applicable to offenders aged 18-25)
- Mental disorder or learning disability
- Sole or primary carer for dependent relatives
- Pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal care
Last ingested: 2026-08-24 from sentencing-council.
The statute behind this offence
- Public Order Act 1986 — our full guide