As the Secret Barrister blog post pointed out, there are pretty clear sentencing guidelines that Judges need to adhere and refer to. Take for example, the most common offence people are being charged with, namely violent disorder under the Public Order Act 1986. Here are the guidelines -
https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk...nt-disorder-2/
The possible sentences range from community orders to 4 years 6 months in prison. Initially, the guidelines use tests for culpability and harm. Things that stand out are being involved in widespread and/or large acts of violence bumps things up as do things like attacks on police and public servants. After that there are the aggravating factors which include previous convictions, using weapons, throwing missiles and hostility based on presumed or actual protected factors with religion and race. Then finally, there are the mitigating factors such as level of involvement, remorse, caring duties and disability.
The guidelines are complex but they do ensure that sentences are consistent