580. Procedural requirements for imposing community sentences and discretionary custodial sentences.

In forming an opinion in respect of the passing of a community sentence¹, the court must take into account any information about the offender which is before it².

A court must obtain and consider a pre-sentence report³ before:

1.  

   (1)     in the case of a custodial sentence⁴, forming an opinion⁵ in connection with sentencing as to the seriousness of the offence or the necessity of passing a custodial sentence or extended sentence for reasons of public protection⁶; or

2.  

   (2)     in the case of a community sentence, forming an opinion in accordance with the statutory provisions concerning the imposition of community sentences,