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To challenge this sentence?

4 replies

NotAsZerious · 13/05/2026 21:40

Can i challenge this sentence?

My home was broken into back in January. Me and my 20m old DC was in bed asleep at the time. They kicked my door in and pretty much stole most of the major contents downstairs (2 tv's, jewellery, around £600 in cash, bank cards, purse, a coat, chargers, etc). The person, or atleast one of the people involved was caught not long after due to using my card within a few hours of the break in and caught on CCTV. He was remanded in prison due to being out on licence, plead guilty to fraud but not to burglary. Trail was set for early July.

However, last friday I recieved a call from victim support informing me that he had changed his plea and was due to be sentenced within 1hr of the call. I was shocked but hopeful. He was sentenced to 2 months (in total) in custody. Today i have recieved a letter saying the burglary charge was dropped and what he actually plead guilty to was handling stolen goods alongside the fraud, and now understand the ridiculous sentence he has been given. This is the first i have been informed about the change in charges however and am furious, aswell as panicked.

This whole thing has impacted me significantly. I am a lone parent with little support and have not felt safe in my home since January. I have also had to take time off work with the impact to my mh which has further impacted my financial loss. Not to mention this person is a repeat offender if he was already on licence when this happened.

The severity of this doesnt seem to have been taken seriously at all or the impact on myself. It's just made me feel even worse at a time I was starting to make improvements. To the point im spiralling and quickly looking to move house and everything.

Do I have any rights here as the victim?

Would it be worth challenging this? Can I? What would you do? Help.

OP posts:
WaneyEdge · 13/05/2026 21:47

First, I’m so sorry that happened to you. I hope you can work towards feeling safe again. Sentences in this country are a joke.

https://www.gov.uk/ask-crown-court-sentence-review

You can ask but it may only cover the crimes in the link. Probably best to get advice. Did you have a police officer assigned to the case who may be able to tell you more?

Ask for a Crown Court sentence to be reviewed

How to complain to the Attorney General's Office if you think someone's sentence is too low - and what happens if the Court of Appeal get involved

https://www.gov.uk/ask-crown-court-sentence-review

user1471453601 · 13/05/2026 21:49

There is proof of him using your card, but no proof of him actually breaking into your house? Is that correct?

If it is, the police, and the CPS, have no evidence of burglary. Receiving Stolen Goods and Fraud, seems to fit the evidence.

I'm sorry this happened to you, I know from personal experience how unsettling burglary can be. Nevertheless, CPS seem to have prosecuted based on the evidence available.

FlippyKiYayFlippyFlipper · 13/05/2026 21:56

user1471453601 · 13/05/2026 21:49

There is proof of him using your card, but no proof of him actually breaking into your house? Is that correct?

If it is, the police, and the CPS, have no evidence of burglary. Receiving Stolen Goods and Fraud, seems to fit the evidence.

I'm sorry this happened to you, I know from personal experience how unsettling burglary can be. Nevertheless, CPS seem to have prosecuted based on the evidence available.

This, although for him to be charged with burglary there was likely some evidence and a realistic prospect of conviction. Do you know if there was any CCTV or forensic evidence?
Did you provide a VPS and have you had any support from victim services?
Poor sentences are frustrating and disappointing for everyone involved.

NotAsZerious · 13/05/2026 22:00

Evidence was collected regarding the break in, fingerprints, etc was taken but I had no update at all on whether those linked to him. However the items stolen from my home were found in his possession at time of arrest. He was charged and listed for trial with the burglary included. It was only on the letter I recieved today that detailed the charges he was sentenced for and burglary was not mentioned. I have had little to no contact with the police officer in charge since February when he entered his not guilty plea, instead Victim support have been calling me.

I dont see how not being made aware of the Plea change and sentence until 30-60 minutes before it was due to be heard, then not knowing he was not sentenced for the burglary until a letter today is fair or supportive at all. I have been hugely impacted in all of this and he gets off lightly. How can that be justice? Or fair?

Its really disheartening if anything.

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