For the benefit of the lay person, a Plea In Mitigation is used to ensure that the appropriate sentence is given based upon the circumstances of the offence committed along with those of that particular defendant. If you are acting for a defendant, you are hoping to secure the most lenient sentence for your client. Bear in mind that advocates are acting on instruction from their client.
Reporting of sentencing hearings can fall woefully short, as seen in the earlier hearing. However, it's clearer from the later report that the defendant had previous convictions, and the Judge believed that he posed a risk.
This isn't a new problem; sometimes, there can be outrage that a sentence is too high.
Media reports need to be taken at face value; ask what has not been reported, before questioning what has been reported.
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