Sexual communication with a child
Maximum sentence: 2 years’ custody · guideline effective from 01 July 2022
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
- Failure to comply with current court orders
- Offence committed whilst on licence
- Financial or other reward offered to victim
- Any steps taken to prevent the victim reporting an incident, obtaining assistance and/or from assisting or supporting the prosecution
- Attempts to dispose of or conceal evidence (including asking the victim to conceal the offending)
- Failure of offender to respond to previous warnings
- Victim encouraged to recruit others
- Victim particularly vulnerable (where not taken into account at step one)
- Offence involved sustained or persistent communication
Factors reducing seriousness or reflecting personal mitigation
Verbatim from the Sentencing Council guideline (non-exhaustive list).
- No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
- Remorse
- Positive character and/or exemplary conduct (regardless of previous convictions)\
- Isolated offence
- Age and/or lack of maturity (which may be applicable to offenders aged 18-25)
- Demonstration of steps taken to address offending behaviour
- Mental disorder or learning disability, particularly where linked to the commission of the offence
- Physical disability or serious medical condition requiring urgent, intensive or long-term treatment
- Difficult and/or deprived background or personal circumstances
Last ingested: 2026-08-24 from sentencing-council.