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VARLEY, CHRISTOPHER

Case Reference: 13BD0203226

Case Details

Reference

13BD0203226

Court

Leeds District Magistrates' Court and Family Court - Courtroom 07

Magistrate

Magistrates Panel

Hearing Date

21 May 2026

Time

12:30pm

Hearing Type

Sentence

Court Type

Magistrates

Prosecutor

CPS-YH

Case Details

Offence Details: | Assault a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm Assault a constable in the execution of his / her duty Engage in controlling / coercive behaviour in an intimate / family relationship Assault a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm

Next Steps at this Sentencing

The sentencing hearing takes place after a defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty at trial. The judge or magistrates review the Sentencing Council guidelines, consider aggravating and mitigating factors, read any pre-sentence reports or victim personal statements, and decide the appropriate penalty.

Court Jurisdiction: Magistrates' Court - Magistrates' Courts handle virtually all summary offences (minor offences) and start the proceedings for serious offences. They are presided over by three volunteer Magistrates (advised by a legal advisor) or a single qualified District Judge. They do not have a jury.

UK Offence & Sentencing Guidelines

Common Assault / Battery

Common assault is committed when a person intentionally or recklessly causes another to apprehend immediate, unlawful violence. Battery is the actual application of unlawful force. No physical injury needs to occur.

Sentencing: Usually dealt with in the Magistrates' Court. Maximum penalty is 6 months imprisonment, a community order, or a fine. If racially or religiously aggravated, it can be sent to the Crown Court with higher maximum penalties.
Actual Bodily Harm (ABH)

ABH (Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861) involves an assault that causes some hurt or injury to the victim (e.g., bruising, cuts, minor fractures) that is more than transient or trifling.

Sentencing: Triable either way. In the Magistrates' Court, the maximum is 6 months custody. In the Crown Court, it carries a maximum of 5 years imprisonment.
Disclaimer: The legal definitions and sentencing guidelines above are for general educational purposes under English Law and do not constitute formal legal representation or advice. If you are facing criminal prosecution, consult a qualified criminal defense solicitor immediately.

Case FAQs & Procedure Guide

The court considers the severity of the offence, the defendant's level of culpability (blameworthiness), the harm caused, any previous criminal record (aggravating factors), and positive character references or early guilty pleas (mitigating factors).

Sentences can include discharges (absolute or conditional), fines, community orders (unpaid work, rehabilitation), suspended prison sentences, or immediate custodial sentences (imprisonment).

Yes. The defense can appeal against the severity of the sentence, and the prosecution can appeal (in some serious Crown Court cases) if they believe the sentence was unduly lenient.

For a single summary/either-way offence, magistrates can sentence a defendant to a maximum of 6 months in prison (or up to 12 months for multiple either-way offences), alongside unlimited fines and community orders.

Magistrates are trained volunteers from the local community who sit in panels of three. A District Judge is a qualified legal professional who sits alone. Both have the same sentencing powers.

Common assault is committed when a person intentionally or recklessly causes another to apprehend immediate, unlawful violence. Battery is the actual application of unlawful force. No physical injury needs to occur.

Usually dealt with in the Magistrates' Court. Maximum penalty is 6 months imprisonment, a community order, or a fine. If racially or religiously aggravated, it can be sent to the Crown Court with higher maximum penalties.

ABH (Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861) involves an assault that causes some hurt or injury to the victim (e.g., bruising, cuts, minor fractures) that is more than transient or trifling.

Triable either way. In the Magistrates' Court, the maximum is 6 months custody. In the Crown Court, it carries a maximum of 5 years imprisonment.

Interested in the outcome of this case? You can request more information by emailing the court directly using the Email Court button at the top of the page.

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