Weiss v R [2020] NSWCCA 188

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Weiss v R [2020] NSWCCA 188 Hearing dates: 10 June 2020 Date of orders: 5 August 2020 Decision date: 05 August 2020 Before: Macfarlan JA at [1] N Adams J at [2] Lonergan J at [114] Decision: (1) Leave to appeal is granted. (2) The appeal is allowed. (3) The aggregate sentence imposed on the applicant in the District Court on 18 April 2019 is quashed. In lieu thereof, the following aggregate sentence is imposed under s 53A of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW): An aggregate sentence of 3 years imprisonment to date from 18 April 2019 and expire on 17 April 2022 with a non-parole period of 2 years and 1 month to expire on 17 May 2021. (4) Pursuant to s 53A(4) of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) the indicative sentences are: Count 1: 2 years and 2 months. Count 2: 2 years and 6 months. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – appeal – appeal against sentence – aid and abet intentional or reckless damage of property by fire – extraordinary set of events – ex-partners of a couple join together to exact revenge by burning property – "dangerous acts to obtain whereabouts of previous respective lovers" – setting parents' cars on fire – applicant acted on direction of co-offenders – application of discount for guilty plea and assistance – objective seriousness – manifest excess Legislation Cited: Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW); s 6(3) Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), s 195(1)(b) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), s 9, s 22, s 23, s 53A Cases Cited: Afu v R [2017 NSWCCA 246 Berryman v R [2017] NSWCCA 297 Cameron v R [2017] NSWCCA 229 Clarke v The Queen [2013] NSWCCA 260 Elsaj v R [2017] NSWCCA 124 Fenech v R [2018] NSWCCA 160 Green v The Queen; Quinn v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 462; [2011] HCA 49 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 Ibbotson (a pseudonym) v R [2020] NSWCCA 92 Kentwell v The Queen (2014) 252 CLR 601; [2014] HCA 37 Khoury v R (2011) 209 A Crim R 509; [2011] NSWCCA 118 Kliendienst v R [2020] NSWCCA 98 Lam v R [2015] NSWCCA 87 Lowe v The Queen (1984) 154 CLR 606; [1984] HCA 46 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357; [2005] HCA 25 Miles v R [2017] NSWCCA 266 Mulato v Regina [2006] NSWCCA 282 Muldrock v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 120; [2011] HCA 39 PG v R [2017] NSWCCA 179 Porter v R [2008] NSWCCA 145 R v Darwich [2018] NSWCCA 46 Stuart v R [2016] NSWCCA 72 Tatana v R [2006] NSWCCA 398 Vaughan v R [2020] NSWCCA 3 Yeung v R [2018] NSWCCA 52 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Matthew Weiss (Applicant) Regina (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr I McLachlan (Applicant) Mr D Patch (Respondent)