Sahara Fergus-Simms successful in the Court of Appeal- Attorney General Reference refused

The AG sought to increase the sentence of 2 years 9 months for section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article after a stabbing in Croydon.

It was argued by the AG that the level of psychological harm suffered by the victim warranted an increase in categorisation and that the sentence should have been further increased to take account of other aggravating features. In resisting the application, it was submitted that the victim had pre-existing mental health problems and in the current case, the victim impact statement alone was insufficient to justify a finding of ‘grave injury.’ An increase based on other aggravating features including disputed background incidents was also resisted.

Sahara was instructed and expertly assisted throughout by Tai-ann Fadayomi of Banks and Partners