Mohindra v R [2020] NSWCCA 340

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Mohindra v R [2020] NSWCCA 340 Hearing dates: 4 December 2020 Decision date: 16 December 2020 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Johnson J at [69]; Davies J at [70] Decision: (1) Grant the applicant leave to appeal against the aggregate sentence imposed by the District Court on 13 March 2020. (2) Dismiss the appeal. Catchwords: CRIME – sentencing – aggravated indecent assault – aggregate sentence – threshold for sentence of imprisonment – Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), s 5 – application to indicative sentences CRIME – sentencing – aggravated indecent assault – objective seriousness – degree of physical contact CRIME – sentencing – guilty pleas – utilitarian discount not provided – guilty pleas entered on fourth day of trial – whether obligation to allow discount – nature of discretion under Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), s 22 CRIME – sexual offences – indecent assault – circumstances of aggravation – position of trust or authority – employer indecently assaulting job applicant at interview – whether aggravating factor engaged – Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), s 21A(2)(k) Legislation Cited: Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), s 22B Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) ss 5, 9, 21A, 22, 54B Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), ss 61L, 61M Cases Cited: Corby v R [2010] NSWCCA 146 Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) v Burton [2020] NSWCCA 54 Grealish v R [2013] NSWCCA 336 Mol v R [2017] NSWCCA 76 Mulato v R [2006] NSWCCA 282 R v AA [2017] NSWCCA 84 R v Gommeson [2014] NSWCCA 159; 243 A Crim R 534 R v JRD [2007] NSWCCA 55 R v Shortland [2018] NSWCCA 34 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; [2000] NSWCCA 309 R v Van Hong Pham [2005] NSWCCA 94 Stead v State Government Insurance Commission (1986) 161 CLR 141; [1986] HCA 54 Suleman v R [2009] NSWCCA 70 You, Jae Bok v R [2020] NSWCCA 71 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Rajan Mohindra (Applicant) Regina (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Ms S Dowling SC / Mr A Brown (Applicant) Ms H Roberts / Mr C Young (Respondent)