Commentary First Group of Parts – Discipline Part 8 – Sentencing Powers and Mandatory Etc Sentences Section 219: Dangerous offenders aged 18 or over
445.Where the corresponding offence is one of those listed in Schedule 15 to the 2003 Act and carries at least 10 years’ imprisonment, and the offender is aged 18 or over when convicted, this section requires the court to pass a sentence either of life imprisonment or of imprisonment for public protection (which is another form of indeterminate sentence, defined by section 225(4) of the 2003 Act). Life imprisonment is mandatory if the conditions in section 225(2) of the 2003 Act (which determine when a civilian court would be required to pass such a sentence) are met.