Average custodial sentence length for adults sentenced for sexual assault of a child under 13
Source: Ministry of Justice (2021) Criminal Justice System Statistics publication: Outcomes by Offence 2010 to 2020: Pivot Table Analytical Tool for England and Wales
The average custodial sentence length for an adult offender who has been convicted of sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 has increased from 2 years and 3 months in 2010 to 3 years and 8 months in 2020.
The increase has been gradual with a peak length of 3 years and 9 months in 2019 but appears to have reached a relative plateau. The most recent Sentencing Guideline for this offence dates from April 2014.
The importance of the age of 13 in this offence is that those who are under the age of 13 are deemed legally incapable of consenting to any sexual activity.
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