Article 7 Length of custodial sentences

(1)

This Article applies where a court passes a sentence—

(a)

of imprisonment for a determinate term;

(b)

of detention in a young offenders centre;

(c)

of detention under Article 14(5); or

(d)

of detention under Article 45(2) of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (NI 9).

(2)

Subject to Article 14 and the statutory provisions mentioned in paragraph (3), the sentence shall be for such term (not exceeding the permitted maximum) as in the opinion of the court is commensurate with the seriousness of the offence, or the combination of the offence and one or more offences associated with it.

(3)

The statutory provisions referred to in paragraph (2) are—

(a)

Article 70(2) of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (NI 3);

(b)

paragraph 2(4) or (5) of Schedule 2 to the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38).