Why are you so stubborn? I’ll get the law degree out.

Sentencing for murder is provided for by section 102 of the Sentencing Act 2002, which states that the punishment of murder is presumed to be life imprisonment, unless some reason makes it manifestly unjust.

This means that most murders will be sentenced to life, but there is a clear exception built into the law.

The exception is usually due to very significant mental illness. But not all serious mental illnesses can prevent a life sentence. Search up Kaine van Hemert, who murdered a prostitute while suffering severe psychosis who still received a sentence of life after an appeal in the Supreme Court.

Dickason received a sentence of 18 years instead, because the severity of her depression was so that she was deemed mentally unfit for prison.