JH v R [2021] NSWCCA 324

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: JH v R [2021] NSWCCA 324 Hearing dates: 9 June 2021 Decision date: 23 December 2021 Before: McCallum JA at [1]; N Adams J at [41]; Cavanagh J at [42]. Decision: (1) Refuse leave under r 4 of the Criminal Appeal Rules to rely on the second ground of appeal. (2) Dismiss the appeal. Catchwords: CRIME — Appeals — Appeal against conviction — Unreasonable verdict — Whether open to jury to find "serious physical disability" — Whether use of more specific definition required — Quintessential jury question CRIMINAL PROCEDURE — Trial — Directions to jury — Misdirection — Whether direction necessary as to definition of "serious physical disability" — Whether miscarriage of justice established Legislation Cited: Community Welfare Act 1987 (NSW), s 3(1) Crimes (Amendment) Act 1989 (NSW) Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), ss 61HD, 61J, 61M, 66F Crimes Amendment (Cognitive Impairment – Sexual Offences) Act 2008 (NSW) Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), s 6 Criminal Appeal Rules 1952 (NSW), r 4 Cases Cited: Brockie v R [2019] NSWCCA 120 Haoui v R [2008] NSWCCA 209 Mooney v The Queen [2016] NSWCCA 231 Obeid v R [2017] NSWCCA 221 R v Rhodes (1984) 14 A Crim R 124 Selby v R [2017] NSWCCA 40 Tindall v The Queen [2019] NSWCCA 136 Category: Principal judgment Parties: JH (Applicant) Crown (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: K H Averre (Applicant) E Balodis (Respondent)