Commentary on Sections Part 12 - Sentencing Chapter 8: Other Provisions about sentencing Section 280: Alteration of penalties for summary offences
625.This section is consequential on the changes in the structure of short sentences which this Act introduces and the corresponding increase in magistrates’ sentencing powers. It introduces Schedules 25 and 26, which make changes to the maximum penalties for summary only offences that previously carried a maximum penalty of less than 12 months. These offences are either to have the maximum penalty lowered so that they are no longer punishable with imprisonment (see Schedule 25) or raised to 51 weeks imprisonment so that they may be punishable with a new sentence of imprisonment of less than 12 months, custody plus (see Schedule 26).