Sumita Mahtab secures successful verdict in “extraordinary” Court of Appeal case

On 9 May 2025, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of Sumita Mahtab’s client, refusing the Attorney General’s application that her client’s sentence was unduly lenient.

Sumita’s client was convicted after trial of numerous offences contrary to sections 8 and 11 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Following carefully drafted detailed written submissions and oral submissions, the defendant was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment suspended for 2 years with an MHTR.

The Attorney General referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal Criminal Division as unduly lenient on two grounds.

Sumita made written and oral submissions in response to the application. The Court of Appeal remarked that this was “an extraordinary case”, and that they received written and oral submissions of a very high quality from all counsel. The Attorney General’s application was refused and the Court found the sentence passed could not be considered unduly lenient.

Sumita was instructed by Viky Nucci of The City Solicitors.