R v Richards [2020] NSWDC 763

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Richards [2020] NSWDC 763 Hearing dates: 15 December 2020 Date of orders: 16 December 2020 Decision date: 16 December 2020 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Abadee DCJ Decision: See paragraph 48 Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – historical sexual offences – accused's application for permanent stay – alleged abuse of process on account of oppression to accused – delay in bringing charges – prospective fourth prosecution against accused since Royal Commission – accused fit to stand trial, but suffers impairment in short term memory – whether accused may obtain a fair trial Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), ss 25D, 55 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 144, 165B Cases Cited: Dupas v The Queen (2010) 241 CLR 237 Jago v District Court (NSW) (1989) 168 CLR 23 Marwan v Director of Public Prosecutions [2019] NSWCCA 161 McIver v R [2019] NSWCCA 214 Moubarak v Holt [2019] NSWCA 102 R v Edwards (2009) 255 ALR 399 R v Presser [1958] VR 45 R v Rivkin (2004) 59 NSWLR 284 Strickland (a pseudonym) v Director of Public Prosecutions (2018) 266 CLR 325 Walton v Gardiner (1993) 177 CLR 378 Williams v Spautz (1992) 174 CLR 509 Texts Cited: Second Reading Speech of the Attorney General in relation to the Limitation Amendment (Child Abuse) Bill 2016 (NSW) Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Director of Public Prosecutions Mr D Richards Representation: Counsel: Mr D Mortes for the Director of Public Prosecutions Mr P Skinner for the accused