MM v R [2023] NSWCCA 236

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: MM v R [2023] NSWCCA 236 Hearing dates: 20 September 2023 Decision date: 29 September 2023 Before: Adamson JA at [1]; Price J at [63]; Davies J at [64] Decision: (1) Grant leave pursuant to r 4.15 of the Supreme Court (Criminal Appeal) Rules 2021 (NSW). (2) Grant leave to appeal. (3) Dismiss the appeal. Catchwords: APPEALS — CRIME — appeal against conviction — indecent assault of a person under 16 — aggravated sexual intercourse — directions — consciousness of guilt reasoning — evidence of applicant's conduct in response to allegations — whether implied admission of guilt — whether miscarriage of justice occasioned by prosecutor inviting consciousness of guilt reasoning in closing address — whether trial judge failed to direct jury adequately — difference between Edwards and Zoneff directions Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), ss 61M, 66C Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), s 5 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 90 Supreme Court (Criminal Appeal) Rules 2021 (NSW), r 4.15 Cases Cited: AB v R [2023] NSWCCA 165 DC v R [2019] NSWCCA 234 De Silva v The Queen (2019) 268 CLR 57; [2019] HCA 48 Decision Restricted [2021] NSWCCA 124 Dhanhoa v The Queen (2003) 217 CLR 1; [2003] HCA 40 Edwards v The Queen (1993) 178 CLR 193; [1993] HCA 63 Elmasri v R [2010] NSWCCA 11 Harper v R [2022] NSWCCA 211 McKey v R [2012] NSWCCA 1; (2012) 219 A Crim R 227 Woon v The Queen (1964) 109 CLR 529; [1964] HCA 23 Zoneff v The Queen (2000) 200 CLR 234; [2000] HCA 28 Category: Principal judgment Parties: MM (Applicant) Rex (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: S Howell (Applicant) E Nicholson (Respondent)