Sentencing Older Adults
Key Facts and Statistics
Annalena Wolcke
Last updated: Jun 2026
Fact 1
In this fact sheet, adults aged 50 and above are considered older adults.
IN 2025,
198,201
OLDER ADULTS WERE SENTENCED IN ENGLAND & WALES.1
Fact 2
Sentences for older adults accounted for
accounted for 17% of all sentences where age was recorded, in 2025.
Fact 3
Most older adults who are
sentenced are between
50 and 59 years old.
| Age Range | Proportion |
|---|---|
| 50 to 59 | 64% |
| 60 to 69 | 27% |
| 70+ | 9% |
Fact 4
Compared to all adults, older adults are slightly more likely to receive a fine, and slightly less likely to be sentenced to immediate custody.
Older Adults (50+)
All Adults
*Note: Other includes discharges, compensation, ‘otherwise dealt with’ and not known.
Fact 5
Distribution of Custodial Sentence Lengths for Adults
Note: Young Adults are adults aged 18-24. Older adults are those aged 50+.
Fact 6
The most common offences for older adults at sentencing are driving-related
| Older adults sentenced in 2025 | Proportion of older adults | Proportion of all adults | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Speed limit offences | 69,060 | 27% | 21% |
| 2. Failing to supply information as to identity of driver when required | 19,440 | 8% | 8% |
| 3. Vehicle insurance offences | 12,456 | 5% | 9% |
| 4. Vehicle registration and excise licence offences | 11,993 | 5% | 6% |
| 5. Neglecting road regulations (other than speeding) | 9,300 | 4% | 3% |
| 6. Driving a motor vehicle under the influence of drink or drugs | 7,255 | 3% | 5% |
Fact 7
Reoffending Rates by Age Group (2023)2
Note: The Ministry of Justice defines reoffending as any offence committed in a one-year follow-up period that leads to a court conviction, caution, reprimand, or warning.
Fact 8
The average number of reoffences per older adult is lower than the average for all adults
| Age Group | Average Number of Reoffences |
|---|---|
| Young Adults (18-24) | 3.58 |
| Older Adults (50+) | 3.86 |
| All Adults | 4.52 |
Fact 9
19% of women
18% of men
who were sentenced in 2025 were older adults.
This infographic is one of a series on sentencing trends in England & Wales. Others can be found here. For further information, contact Annalena Wolcke at [email protected]
- Facts 1-6, 9: Data calculated from Ministry of Justice (2026), Criminal Justice Statistics Quarterly: December 2025, published 30th of April. Outcomes by offence data tool, Table 2. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69eb4a5b606c20d4121633a4/outcomes-by-offence-data-tool-2017-2025.xlsx. ↩︎
- Facts 7-8: Data calculated from: Ministry of Justice (2025). Proven Reoffending Statistics: October to December 2023. Proven reoffending tables, A1_3 and A3_3, published 30th of October. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6901e0ae3650bacb01af6ff7/proven-reoffending-oct23-dec23-3-monthly.ods. ↩︎