R v SS [2021] NSWCCA 56

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: R v SS [2021] NSWCCA 56 Hearing dates: 15 February 2021 Decision date: 09 April 2021 Before: Hoeben CJ at CL at [1]; R A Hulme J at [2]; Adamson J at [115] Decision: 1. Crown appeal allowed. 2. Quash the sentence imposed in the District Court on 17 August 2020 and in lieu, sentence the respondent to imprisonment comprising a non-parole period of 3 years with a balance of the term of the sentence of 1 year and 6 months. That is a total sentence of 4 years and 6 months. The sentence is to date from 14 August 2020. The respondent will become eligible for release on parole upon the expiry of the non-parole period on 13 August 2023. 3. Noting the application of s 15A of the Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 (NSW) to the child victim in the proceedings, revoke the non-publication and suppression orders made in the District Court on 14 August 2020. Catchwords: CRIME – appeals – appeal against sentence by Crown – recklessly causing grievous bodily harm – baby shaken like a ragdoll – finding of objective seriousness not open – discount for assistance to authorities should not have been given – failure to consider Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) s 23 – misunderstanding of R v Ellis – onus on offender to establish discount for assistance to authorities – direct evidence from investigating police officers needed to prevent speculation – manifest inadequacy – resentence appropriate SENTENCING – relevant factors on sentence – objective seriousness – baby victim and permanent brain injury important considerations Legislation Cited: Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 (NSW), s 15A Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), s 35(2) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), ss 22, 23 Cases Cited: Ahmad v R [2021] NSWCCA 30 Browning v R [2015] NSWCCA 147 Buckley v R [2021] NSWCCA 6 CMB v Attorney General for The State of New South Wales (2015) 256 CLR 346; [2015] HCA 9 Dinsdale v The Queen (2000) 202 CLR 321; [2000] HCA 54 Everett v The Queen (1994) 181 CLR 295; [1994] HCA 49 Forti v R [2016] NSWCCA 127 Green v The Queen; Quinn v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 462; [2011] HCA 49 Griffiths v The Queen (1977) 137 CLR 293; [1977] HCA 44 Herbert v R [2015] NSWCCA 172 Hili v The Queen; Jones v The Queen (2010) 242 CLR 520; [2010] HCA 45 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 Le v R [2019] NSWCCA 181 Lewins v R [2007] NSWCCA 189 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357; [2005] HCA 25 Mulato v R [2006] NSWCCA 282 R v AA [2017] NSWCCA 84 R v Bell [2005] NSWCCA 81 R v CDH [2002] NSWCCA 103 R v Dodd (1991) 57 A Crim R 349 R v Ellis (1986) 6 NSWLR 603 R v GLB [2003] NSWCCA 210 R v Penalosa-Munoz [2004] NSWCCA 33 R v Tozer [2003] NSWCCA 72 R v Windle [2012] NSWCCA 222 Ryan v The Queen (2001) 206 CLR 267; [2001] HCA 21 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Regina SS Representation: Counsel: Ms M Millward (Crown) Ms J Paingakulam (Respondent)