But the defence team said the case was so complex the only person able to pass a realistic sentence was the judge who had listened to all three months of the trial.

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Peterborough magistrates said the offence was so serious a crown court judge must pass sentence.

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Judge Shaw said that the case did pass the custody threshold, but the sentence would be suspended for a year.

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Joe was in good spirits, considering his fate, though I could still tell there was a hope that his pending sentence would somehow not come to pass through either divine or human intervention.

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