Dixon v R [2020] NSWCCA 123

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Dixon v R [2020] NSWCCA 123 Hearing dates: 25 May 2020 Decision date: 11 June 2020 Before: Hoeben CJ at CL at [1]; Harrison J at [60]; Beech-Jones J at [61] Decision: (1) Grant leave to appeal. (2) Allow the appeal. (3) The sentence imposed by Grant DCJ at Parramatta on 20 September 2019 is quashed and in lieu thereof the applicant is sentenced to an aggregate sentence of 8½ years, commencing 1 May 2017 and expiring 31 October 2025, with a non-parole period of 5 years, expiring 30 April 2022. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – sentence appeal – firearm offences – application by offender – most serious offence fire firearm at dwelling house with reckless disregard for safety contrary to s 93GA(1) of the Crimes Act – whether error in assessment of criminality – whether principles in Bugmy v R [2013] 249 CLR 571; [2013] HCA 37 properly applied – whether sentence manifestly excessive – factual error identified in indicative sentence – effect on aggregate sentence – appeal allowed – applicant re-sentenced. Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) – ss 33B(1)(a), 93GA(1), 112(3) Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW) – s 5(1)(c) Firearms Act 1996 (NSW) – s 62(1)(b) Cases Cited: Ali v R [2010] NSWCCA 35 Bugmy v R (2013) 249 CLR 571; [2013] HCA 37 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 Karout v R [2019] NSWCCA 253 Kentwell v The Queen (2014) 252 CLR 601; [2014] HCA 37 Mulato v Regina [2006] NSWCCA 282 Powell v R [2014] NSWCCA 69 R v Campbell; R v Smith [2019] NSWCCA 1 R v Lambell [2019] NSWDC 78 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Mathew Dixon – Applicant Regina – Respondent Crown Representation: Counsel: S Kluss – Applicant D Patch – Respondent Crown