Child cruelty sentencing guidelines under review

The Sentencing Council has published draft guidelines on the three offences of cruelty to a child, causing or allowing a child to die or suffer serious physical harm, and failing to protect a girl from the risk of female genital mutilation. Judges are asked, for the first time, to take account of the developmental harm that such offences can cause to a victim, as well as physical and psychological harm.

The guidelines also introduce a new aggravating factor of an offender blaming others for an offence.