R v Obiekie; R v Garaty [2022] NSWDC 654

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Obiekie; R v Garaty [2022] NSWDC 654 Hearing dates: 2 December 2022 Date of orders: 15 December 2022 Decision date: 15 December 2022 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Fitzsimmons SC DCJ Decision: Christopher Obiekie (1) The offender is convicted. (2) In relation to Count 3 on the Indictment, namely supply a prohibited drug (11.4g of methylamphetamine) contrary to ss 25(1) and 29 of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW), I impose a sentence of imprisonment for 3 years, to date from 28 November 2020 and to expire on 27 November 2023. (3) I impose a non-parole period of 2 years to date from 28 November 2020 and to expire on 27 November 2022. (4) In relation to Counts 1 and 2 on the Indictment, I impose an aggregate sentence of imprisonment for 12 years and 6 months, to date from 27 November 2021 and to expire on 26 May 2034. (5) I impose a non-parole period of 8 years to date from 27 November 2021 and to expire on 26 November 2029. (6) The earliest date the offender is eligible to be released on parole is 26 November 2029. Nicole Garaty (7) The offender is convicted. (8) In relation to Counts 4 and 5 on the Indictment, I impose an aggregate sentence of imprisonment for 8 years and 6 months, to date from 5 September 2022 and to expire on 4 March 2031. (9) I impose a non-parole period of 4 years 6 months to date from 5 September 2022 and to expire on 4 March 2027. (10) The earliest date the offender is eligible to be released on parole is 4 March 2027. Catchwords: CRIME – sentencing – federal offences - co-accused – import border controlled drug – import border controlled drug (commercial quantity) – sentencing considerations (16A(2)) CRIME – sentencing – state offence – supply a prohibited drug (methylamphetamine) – sentencing for both federal and state offences – concurrency between sentences CRIME – subjective circumstances of offender – standard of proof – unsworn statements – rejection of offender's statements Legislation Cited: Criminal Code 1995 (Cth) ss 307.1(1), 307.3(1) Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) ss 16A(1), 16A(2), 17A, 19AJ, 19(3) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) ss 3A, 21A, 53A, 66 Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW) ss 25(1), 29 Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 Cases Cited: Bui v Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (2012) 244 CLR 638 Butters v R [2010] NSWCCA 1 Clinton v R [2018] NSWCCA 66 R v Olbrich (1999) 199 CLR 270 R v Storey [1998] 1 VR 359 DPP v De La Rosa (2010) NSWCCA 194 Hili v R (2010) 242 CLR 52 Imbornone v R [2017] NSWCCA 144 Johnson v R (2004) 78 ALJR 616 Jones v R (2010) 240 CLR 520 Lloyd v R [2022] NSWCCA 18 Munro v R [2006] NSWCCA 350 Parris v R [2013] NSWCCA 5 Pfitzner v R [2010] NSWCCA 314 R v Nguyen; R v Pham (2010) 205 A Crim Report 106 R v Pham [2015] HCA 39 R v Qutami (2001) 127 A Crim Reports 369; [2001] NSWCCA R v Elfar [2003] NSWCCA 358 R v Harrison [2001] NSWCCA 79] R v McGourty [2002] NSWCCA 335 R v Palu [2002] NSWCCA 381 Refugee Review Tribunal decision number 1/37716 [2002] RRTA 838 Savvas v R (1995) 183 CLR 1 Totaan v R (2022) 365 FLR 69; [2022] NSWCCA 75 Van Zwam v R [2017] NSWCCA 127 Wong v R (2001) 207 CLR 584 Category: Sentence Parties: Rex Christopher Obiekie Nicole Louise Garaty Representation: Counsel: Mr D Jordan (Crown) Mr S Healy (Mr Obiekie) Mr K Buckman (Ms Garaty)