Stubbings v R [2023] NSWCCA 69

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Stubbings v R [2023] NSWCCA 69 Hearing dates: 13 March 2023 Date of orders: 27 March 2023 Decision date: 27 March 2023 Before: Gleeson JA at [1] Davies J at [59] Wilson J at [60] Decision: (1) Grant leave to appeal. (2) Refuse the application to admit the affidavit of Mr Hassan sworn 16 August 2022 as additional evidence on the appeal. (3) Appeal against sentence dismissed. Catchwords: SENTENCING — Appeal against sentence — Whether procedural irregularity at sentencing hearing denied applicant benefit of greater sentencing discount for guilty plea — Where applicant found unfit to be tried after committal for trial but subsequently found fit to be tried — Whether applicant pleaded guilty "as soon as practicable" after being found fit to be tried —Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), s 25D(5)(a) — Whether additional evidence of circumstances leading to guilty plea admissible Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), s 33(1)(b) Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), s 6(3) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), s 25D(5), (6), 25F(5) Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1991 (ACT), s 79(1)(a) Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990 (NSW), ss 11, 13A Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 (NSW), s 52 Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW), s 117(2) Cases Cited: Al-Kateb v Godwin (2004) 219 CLR 562; [2004] HCA 37 Barnes v R [2022] NSWCCA 140 Betts v The Queen (2016) 258 CLR 420; [2016] HCA 25 Black v R [2022] NSWCCA 17 Green v R [2022] NSWCCA 230 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 Khoury v R [2011] NSWCCA 118 Rae v R [2019] NSWCCA 284 R v Birks (1990) 19 NSWLR 677 R v Diab [2005] NSWCCA 64 R v HC (2017) 325 FLR 59; [2017] ACTSC 276 Sneddon v Minister for Justice (Cth) [2014] FCAFC 156; (2014) 145 ALD 273 Zreika v R [2012] NSWCCA 44; (2012) A Crim R 460 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Graham Stubbings (Applicant) Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: D Barrow (Applicant) J Styles (Respondent)