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BAGNELL, JAMES

Case Reference: 43SW0366824

Case Details

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Reference

43SW0366824

Court

Reading Magistrates' Court and Family Court - Courtroom 01

Magistrate

Mrs Chevous JP , Mrs Dyson JP , Mr Stuart JP , Mr Winship JP

Hearing Date

12 August 2026

Time

10am

Hearing Type

Sentence

Court Type

Magistrates

Prosecutor

CPS-TCTV

Case Details

Offence Details: | Assault by beating Affray

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.
Public Order Offences

Behaviours that cause, or are likely to cause, fear, alarm, distress, or disorder in public spaces. Includes affray, violent disorder, and threatening behaviour (Public Order Act 1986).

Sentencing: Low-level public order offences (Section 5) result in fines. Serious offences like affray (Section 3) carry up to 3 years imprisonment. Violent disorder (Section 2) carries up to 5 years.
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.

Behaviours that cause, or are likely to cause, fear, alarm, distress, or disorder in public spaces. Includes affray, violent disorder, and threatening behaviour (Public Order Act 1986).

Low-level public order offences (Section 5) result in fines. Serious offences like affray (Section 3) carry up to 3 years imprisonment. Violent disorder (Section 2) carries up to 5 years.

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.

Public Discussion

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