To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what changes were made to the sentencing guidelines for (a) magistrates and (b) Crown courts on robbery offences in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. (196122)

Robbery is an indictable only offence and therefore is not dealt with in the magistrates courts.

In July 2006, the Sentencing Guidelines Council issued a guideline on robbery. In December 2004, the Council issued guidelines on seriousness,

“overarching principles: seriousness, and reduction in sentence for a guilty plea”,

which apply in all cases, including robbery. The latter guideline was revised in July 2007.