McLaren v Chief of Navy [2013] ADFDAT 5

DEFENCE FORCE DISCIPLINE APPEAL TRIBUNAL

McLaren v Chief of Navy [2013] ADFDAT 5 Citation: McLaren v Chief of Navy [2013] ADFDAT 5

Appeal from: Restricted Court Martial

Parties: JAMES ALAN MCLAREN v CHIEF OF NAVY

File number: DFDAT 6 of 2012

Judges: TRACEY J (PRESIDENT), LOGAN AND BRERETON JJ (MEMBERS)

Date of judgment: 29 November 2013

Catchwords: DEFENCE FORCE – appeal from Restricted Court Martial against convictions for committing an act of indecency – circumstantial evidence – whether Judge Advocate erred in failing to give proper direction – admissibility of evidence based on inference drawn by witness from observed facts – whether substantial miscarriage of justice – meaning of "indecency" – appeal allowed – conviction quashed – retrial ordered

Legislation: Crimes Act 1900 (ACT) s 60 Criminal Appeal Rules (NSW) r 4 Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 (Cth) s 61 Defence Force Disciplinary Appeals Act 1955 (Cth) s 23 Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) ss 59, 60, 66, 76, 78, 136

Cases cited: Balenzuela v De Gail (1959) 101 CLR 226 – considered Crampton v The Queen (2000) 206 CLR 161 – cited Crowe v Graham (1968) 121 CLR 375 – cited Fingleton v The Queen (2005) 227 CLR 166 – cited Giannarelli v The Queen (1983) 154 CLR 212 – cited Grant v The Queen (1975) 11 ALR 503 – cited Hembury v Chief of the General Staff (1998) 193 CLR 641 – considered HML v The Queen (2008) 235 CLR 334 – cited Holford v Melbourne Tramway & Omnibus Co Ltd [1909] VLR 497 – considered Li v Chief of Army [2013] HCA 49 – cited Papakosmas v The Queen (1999) 196 CLR 297 – considered Partington v R [2009] NSWCCA 232 – considered Purvis v Inglis (1915) 34 NZLR 1051 – cited R v Court [1989] AC 28 – considered R v DM [2010] ACTSC 137 – cited R v Manson (Unreported, NSWCCA, Gleeson CJ, 17 February 1993) – considered R v Whyte [2006] NSWCCA 75 – discussed R v Girvan (No 2) [2013] ACTSC 138 – cited