Nicholas Cotter successfully appeals 30-year minimum life sentence for murder

8th December 2025

3PB's crime and regulatory barrister Nicholas CotterNicholas CotterCall: 1999 has successfully appealed the imposition of a 30-year minimum term for murder, which had been witnessed by a very young child.

The case involved the use of knife resulting in a brutal killing on a public street. The full court were persuaded that whilst this was a significant case of its type the enhancement of the minimum term due to the presence of the child was excessive.

The sentence was quashed and a new sentence of 27 years was imposed. The case name has been redacted for now, until the case is reported in full and in order to protect the onward identification of the child.

If you wish to contact Nicholas Cotter, or instruct him or see about his availability, please email his clerk Stuart Pringle on [email protected] or by calling him on 01962 868 884.