Paterson v R [2021] NSWCCA 273

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Paterson v R [2021] NSWCCA 273 Hearing dates: 8 September 2021 Date of orders: 19 November 2021 Decision date: 19 November 2021 Before: Beech-Jones CJ at CL at [1] R A Hulme J at [61] N Adams J at [62] Decision: (1) The applicant be granted leave to appeal from the sentence imposed by Rothman J on 12 March 2020; (2) Appeal allowed; (3) Set aside the sentence; (4) In lieu thereof: (a) The applicant is sentenced to a term of imprisonment comprising a non-parole period of 9 years commencing on 7 August 2017 and a balance of the term of the sentence of 3 years; (b) The applicant will become eligible for release on parole upon the expiration of the non‑parole period on 6 August 2026. Catchwords: MANSLAUGHTER – unlawful and dangerous act – applicant kicked and stomped on head of deceased – alcohol fuelled violence – poor criminal record – starting point for sentence prior to discount for plea of guilty near maximum penalty – offence found to be at "highest end of culpability" – whether characterisation of offence was open – whether sentence was manifestly excessive – disparity with co-offender – appeal allowed – applicant re-sentenced Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Crimes (High Risk Offenders) Act 2006 Cases Cited: Attwater v R; Maris v R [2021] NSWCCA 17 Bugmy v The Queen (2013) 249 CLR 571; [2013] HCA 37 Craft v R [2021] NSWCCA 131 Green v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 462; [2011] HCA 49 Hili v The Queen; Jones v The Queen 242 CLR 520; [2010] HCA 45 Jimmy v Regina [2010] NSWCCA 60; (2010) 77 NSWLR 540 Magro v R [2020] NSWCCA 25 Muldrock v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 120; [2011] HCA 39 Munda v Western Australia (2013) 249 CLR 600; [2013] HCA 38 O'Brien v R [2010] NSWCCA 297 R v Attwater; R v Maris [2017] NSWSC 1710 R v Blake Davis [2021] NSWSC 235 R v Chandler (No 2) [2017] NSWSC 1758 R v Grogan [2017] NSWSC 378 R v Jones [2017] NSWSC 19 R v Lane (No 4) [2018] NSWSC 1898 R v Loveridge [2014] NSWCCA 120 R v McNeil (No 4) [2015] NSWSC 1198 R v Paterson; R v O'Brien [2020] NSWSC 221 R v Blacklidge (Court of Criminal Appeal (NSW), 12 December 1995, Gleeson CJ, unrep) Tepania v R [2018] NSWCCA 247 Veen v The Queen (No 2) (1987-1988) 164 CLR 465; [1988] HCA 14 Zreika v R [2021] NSWCCA 243 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Ryan Paterson (Applicant) Regina (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: P Boulten SC (Applicant) B Baker (Crown)