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Neutral Citation Number: [2025] EWCA Crim 1257 IN THE COURT OF APPEAL CRIMINAL DIVISION ON APPEAL FROM THE CROWN COURT AT CHESTER (HHJ STEVEN EVERETT DL) [07EZ0678323] CASE NO 202403707/A2 |
Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Before:
LORD JUSTICE DINGEMANS
MR JUSTICE HILLIARD
SIR ROBIN SPENCER
REX
V
FINLEY WOOD
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Ms Debra White appeared on behalf of the Appellant.
Ms Ember-Jade Wong appeared on behalf of the Crown.
JUDGMENT
(As approved)
SIR ROBIN SPENCER:
This is an appeal against sentence brought by leave of the Single Judge.
On 2 August 2024 in the Crown Court at Chester, the appellant (who is now aged 22) pleaded guilty to an offence of causing death by dangerous driving, contrary to section 1 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (count 1). and to three offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving (counts 2, 3 and 4), contrary to section 1A of the same Act. On 20 September 2024, the appellant was sentenced by HHJ Steven Everett, the Recorder of Chester, to a total of 10 years 6 months' imprisonment. That was the sentence imposed on count 1, which was expressed also to reflect the criminality of the offences in the other three counts on which concurrent sentences of 3 years' imprisonment were imposed. The appellant was disqualified from driving for a period of 12 years and until he passes an extended re-test.
The grounds of appeal, in short, are that the judge should have allowed full credit of one-third for the guilty pleas rather than 25 per cent, that the judge failed to give sufficient credit for the appellant's strong personal mitigation, and that in consequence the sentence was manifestly excessive.