Just a note on sentancing: For sentances below 4 years you serve half, over 4 years, two thirds. Providing that you can provide an address and there is no risk of re-offending you could come out in less than half if you agree to wear a tag. So he could be out sooner. March 2007 would be the prison service's 'earliest release date', but with a tag Christmas 2006 is a possibility. In some cases bail is granted during the appeals process.