Waterstone v R [2020] NSWCCA 117

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Waterstone v R [2020] NSWCCA 117 Hearing dates: 19 March 2020 Date of orders: 09 June 2020 Decision date: 09 June 2020 Before: Johnson J at [1] N Adams J at [17] Ierace J at [129] Decision: (1) Leave to appeal is granted. (2) The appeal is allowed. (3) The sentences imposed on the applicant in the District Court on 5 July 2019 are quashed. In lieu thereof the following aggregate sentences are imposed under s 53A of the Sentencing Act:

Counts 1-2: An aggregate term of imprisonment of 2 years and 3 months commencing on 13 October 2018 and expiring on 12 January 2021 with a non-parole period of 18 months to expire on 12 April 2020;

Counts 3-6: An aggregate term of imprisonment of 20 months commencing on 13 April 2020 and expiring on 12 December 2021 and direct that the applicant be released by way of recognizance release order on 12 January 2021 after serving 9 months' imprisonment upon the applicant entering into a recognizance to be of good behaviour for a period of 11 months.

The indicative sentences are as follows:

Count 1: 2 years' imprisonment; Count 2: 2 years' imprisonment; Count 3: 18 months' imprisonment; Count 4: 18 months' imprisonment; Count 5: 18 months' imprisonment; Count 6: 18 months' imprisonment. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – appeal against sentence – sexual offences against stepdaughter – sentencing judge did not set non-parole period – lack of single recognizance release order for Commonwealth offences – when a fixed sentence should be imposed – finding in relation to aggravation – abuse of trust – objective seriousness – whether sentence manifestly excessive Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), s 19, s 21A(2)(k), s 44, s 45 Criminal Code Act 1900 (Cth), s 474.17(1) Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) s 61O(3)(b) Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 16A, s 17A(3), ss19AB(3), s 19AC, s 19 AH Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), s 6(3) Justice Portfolio Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2016 Cases Cited: Beavis v R [2018] NSWCCA 248 Collier v R [2012] NSWCCA 213 Convery v R [2014] NSWCCA 93 De Hollander v R [2012] WASCA 127 Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) v Beattie (2017) 270 A Crim R 556; [2017] NSWCCA 301 DPP (Vic) & DPP (Cth) v Swingler [2017] VSCA 305 Franklin v R [2016] NSWCCA 319 Hancock v R [2012] NSWCCA 200 Hili v The Queen; Jones v The Queen (2010) 242 CLR 520; [2010] HCA 45 Kannis v R [2020] NSWCCA 79 Kentwell v The Queen (2014) 252 CLR 601; [2014] HCA 37 Lipchin v R [2013] NSWCCA 77 Magro v R [2020] NSWCCA 25 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357; [2005] HCA 25 McIntosh v R [2015] NSWCCA 184 MRW v R [2011] NSWCCA 260 Mulato v R [2006] NSWCCA 282 Muldrock v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 120; [2011] HCA 39 Power v R; Selenski v R; Lyons v R (1974) 131 CLR 623: [1974] HCA 26 R v Burgess; R v Saunders (2005) 152 A Crim R 100 [2005] NSWCCA 52 R v Currey [1975] VR 647 R v Dunn [2004] NSWCCA 346 R v Governor of Her Majesty's Gaol at Pentridge; in Ex parte Cusmano, [1966] VR 583 R v Parsons [2002] NSWCCA 296 R v Simpson (2001) 53 NSWLR 704; [2001] NSWCCA 534 R v Suarez-Mejia (2002) 131 A Crim R 577; [2002] WASCA 187 R v Zamagias [2002] NSWCCA 17 Spreitzer v R (1991) 58 A Crim R 114 Tuvunivono v R [2013] NSWCCA 176 Texts Cited: NSW Law Reform Commission, Report No 139: Sentencing (July 2013) Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions Sentencing of Federal Offenders in Australia: A Guide for Practitioners (2nd edition, 2020) Category: Principal judgment Parties: John Waterstone (Applicant) Regina (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr I McLachlan (Applicant) Mr B Hatfield (Respondent)