The Director's Guidance on Youth Conditional Cautions

Annex B: Guidance for the selection of appropriate conditions

Reparative

To make good the loss sustained by the victim or community and to repair relationships: e.g.

• to pay compensation, or to make payment to an appropriate local charitable or community fund
• to personally repair or make good the damage
• to undertake unpaid work not exceeding 20 hours
• to write a letter of apology
• to participate in restorative justice mediation

Rehabilitative

To stop or modify offending behaviour, or help reintegrate the youth into society: e.g.

• not to commit further offences for a defined period of time
• to attend a referral programme specifically related to the nature of the offending behaviour

Punitive

To punish where there are no other appropriate conditions or those conditions do not provide an appropriate and proportionate response to offending behaviour: e.g.

• to pay a financial penalty
• to undertake unpaid work not exceeding 20 hours
• to attend a specified place for a period not exceeding 20 hours

A restrictive condition may be included with any of the above where to do so would assist in the achievement of one of the above objectives provided it is appropriate and proportionate to the offending behaviour and e.g. not to approach a named victim, or specified property, or geographical location or specified event.

Financial penalty conditions banding

Penalty Band A

• Standard Penalty: 30
• Mitigated Penalty: 25
• Offence Scales: Summary only. Level 1 - 3

Penalty Band B

• Standard Penalty: 50
• Mitigated Penalty: 40
• Offence Scales: Summary only. Level 4

Penalty Band C

• Standard Penalty: 75
• Mitigated Penalty: 60
• Offence Scales: Summary only. Level 5, & either way offences, including criminal damage offences

The Standard Penalty scale will apply unless the Crown Prosecutor is satisfied that there is substantial mitigation or either the youth of responsible parent/guardian is in receipt of state benefit as their main or only source of income

Compensation for personal injuries

Graze

• Description: Depending on size
• Award: Up to £25

Bruise

• Description: Depending on size
• Award: Up to £35

Black eye

• Award: Up to £50

Minor cut - no permanent scar

• Description: Depending on size and whether stitched
• Award: £35 to £65

Sprain

• Description: Depending on loss of mobility
• Award: £35 to £65

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