The defendants were all charged with offenses that were triable summarily or on indictment. Results showed that, in sentences passed by magistrates, no overall differences were found between the different ethnic groups. In three subgroups -- defendants aged 26-30, female defendants, and defendants charged with theft -- significantly more offenders of Afro-Caribbean origin received custodial sentences. However, in each case the variation in sentencing resulted from the defendant's criminal record. In addition, no significant difference was found in noncustodial sentences; however, significantly more Afro-Caribbean than white defendants were committed by magistrates for trial at the Crown Court. Tables and 14 references (Author abstract modified)