Rape case plea has ‘little bearing’ on sentence

Pleading guilty or not guilty in rape cases has little or no bearing on the length of the sentence handed down, research has shown.

An analysis of sentencing in recent cases, published today, also shows that where the accused pleads not guilty a sentence of nine years “might not be inappropriate”.

The findings are among a number made to link in with new initiatives from the Committee of the Courts Service, aimed at providing the public with more information on sentencing.