New Sentencing Guidelines for Selling Knives to Under-18s Now in Effect

The Sentencing Council have recently published two new sentencing guidelines for selling knives to individuals under the age of 18. The two new guidelines relate to the sentencing of individuals and organisations who have failed to implement sufficient measures to prevent the sale of knives to individuals under the age of 18, whether in a physical store or via online channels. These guidelines came into effect on 1st April 2023.

The offence of selling knives to individuals under the age of 18 is in breach of s.141A of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. The new guidelines outline that the maximum sentence for individual offenders is six months’ imprisonment whilst organisations can face huge fines of up to £1,000,000.

The Sentencing Council do not expect these sentencing guidelines for selling knives to change the sentences for most offenders. However, there is a possibility of higher fines for larger organisations.

For further information on the new guidelines for organisations click here.

For further information on the new guidelines for individuals click here.

If you or someone you know is facing charges for selling knives to individuals under the age of 18, it’s crucial to seek the assistance of an experienced criminal defence solicitor. At Chadwick Lawrence LLP, our team of legal experts is dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of our clients. Contact us today by filling in our online contact form and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss your legal options.