Judges urge courts to 'not shy away from maximum sentences' as they raise assault cases' jail terms

The courts should not shy away from starting at five years' imprisonment when it comes to sentencing individuals for “high-end” cases of assault causing harm, according to the Court of Appeal.

President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham made the observation after three people jailed for three separate assaults in Waterford were found to have been given “unduly lenient” sentences.