Community order for vulnerable young adult charged with dangerous driving

Our client was charged with dangerous driving, possession of a Class B drug, and failing to stop.

At his first appearance, it was immediately apparent that he was an exceptionally vulnerable young man. We successfully applied to adjourn proceedings for specialist reports to be obtained before plea and sentence.

We obtained expert evidence confirming that our client had significant learning disabilities, autism, PTSD and other complex vulnerabilities.

At sentence, we made detailed submissions regarding our client's personal circumstances and the impact of his disabilities on his behaviour. We argued that while his actions did not amount to a legal defence, the offending took place in the context of panic, impaired decision-making and emotional dysregulation linked to his diagnosed conditions.

We also highlighted the particular difficulties and risks he would face in custody due to his vulnerabilities.

The sentencing guidelines identified a starting point of 36 weeks' custody, with a range extending up to 18 months' imprisonment.

Despite this, we successfully persuaded the Court that a community-based sentence was appropriate. A 12-month Community Order, including 40 hours of unpaid work and Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days was imposed, rather than a custodial sentence.

This outcome enabled a highly vulnerable young man to remain in the community with the support he requires and avoided the potentially devastating impact that imprisonment could have had upon him and his wellbeing.

Both the client and his family were extremely relieved and grateful for the result achieved.

Lucie Hall was supervised by Phoebe Coleman, the solicitor with conduct of this case. Instructed counsel was Shifra Moriarty of Crucible Law chambers.