Explanatory note

These Regulations amend paragraph 9 of Schedule 21 to the Sentencing Code. They create two additional statutory aggravating factors in the determination of the minimum term in relation to mandatory life sentences for murder.

The new aggravating factors apply where: (1) the murder was connected with the end of the offender’s intimate personal relationship with the victim, the victim intending to bring about the end of that intimate personal relationship, or a belief by the offender in those things; and (2) the murder involves strangulation, suffocation or asphyxiation.

These new aggravating factors only apply to offences committed on or after the day on which these Regulations come into force.

A full impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business and the voluntary sector and community bodies is available from www.legislation.gov.uk.