Abraham v R [2022] NSWCCA 242

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Abraham v R [2022] NSWCCA 242 Hearing dates: 24 June 2022 Date of orders: 22 November 2022 Decision date: 22 November 2022 Before: Brereton JA at [1]; Wilson J at [55]; Cavanagh J at [58] Decision: (1) Grant leave to appeal; and (2) Dismiss the appeal. Catchwords: CRIME – Appeals – Appeal against conviction – Unreasonable verdict – Possession of firearms – Circumstantial case – Firearms and ammunition containing applicant's DNA found in wall cavity of premises leased by applicant's business – Whether reasonable possibility of secondary transfer of DNA during police search excluded – Presumption of possession under Firearms Act 1996 (NSW), s 4A on some counts – Open to jury to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt of applicant's guilt of all counts – Appeal dismissed Legislation Cited: Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), s 5(1) Firearms Act 1996 (NSW), ss 4A, 7, 36, 66, Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 (NSW), s 7 Cases Cited: Atai v R [2014] NSWCCA 210 Barca v R (1975) 133 CLR 82; [1975] HCA 42 Dansie v The Queen [2022] HCA 25; (2022) 96 ALR 728 De Silva v R (2019) 268 CLR 57; [2019] HCA 48 Dickson v The Queen (2017) 94 NSWLR 476; [2017] NSWCCA 78 Frew v R [2022] NSWCCA 165 Liberato v R (1985) 159 CLR 507; [1985] HCA 66 M v The Queen (1994) 181 CLR 487; [1994] HCA 63 May v R [2012] NSWCCA 250 Seifeddine v R [2021] NSWCCA 214 SKA v The Queen (2011) 243 CLR 400; [2011] HCA 13 The Queen v Baden-Clay (2016) 258 CLR 308; [2016] HCA 35 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Tim Abraham (Applicant) The Crown (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: