How does sentencing work in the uk?

One of the most common reasons for deferring sentencing is the need for a pre-sentence report (PSR). This is a report that is completed by the Probation service to look in to the cause of offending, likelihood of reoffending and whether any Probation based interventions could be applied (e.g. community based work, Mental Health Treatment Requirements, Alcohol Treatement Requirements, etc.) PSRs are very useful when there is a background to the offending, e.g. as a result of drink or drug use, history of abuse etc. because it allows the sentencing to consider whether any mitigations can be put in place to alleviate the problems that led to offending in the first place, and hence reduce the probability of reoffending. Therefore PSRs are frequently requested if the offender is vulnerable, young, first time offender etc. I'm told that it used to be possible to get a PSR done on the same day, but in my experience which is limited to the last few years, these always take a day or two to organise and set up the appointment (this is frequently blamed on cuts to the Probation service and subsequently fewer probation officers available to undertake the required PSR interviews). Therefore, if a PSR is deemend to be necessary the sentencing will be adjourned (rescheduled) to a later date to allow for the PSR to be completed. Given it's been put back by a week, this would tally with the timescales of a PSR. Therefore, the typical timescale would be: Court Appearance 1: The defendent is asked if they are guilty/not guilty. If they plead guilty then sentencing can begin immediately. However, a magistrates/judge may request a PSR. Therefore, the case is adjourned and the defendent is scheduled to appear at a later date. Court Appearance 2: The magistrate/judge now has the PSR and can read it, alongside any information given by prosecution or defence to decide on the appropriate sentence.