R v RJ [2023] NSWCCA 273

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: R v RJ [2023] NSWCCA 273 Hearing dates: 6 October 2023 Decision date: 08 November 2023 Before: Adamson JA at [1]; Basten AJA and Sweeney J at [111] Decision: (1) Allow the appeal. (2) Set aside the aggregate sentence imposed by Mahony SC DCJ on 10 February 2023 and the sentences imposed by Neilson DCJ on 24 February 2023 and in lieu thereof impose the following sentences: (a) for the breach ADVO offence, a fixed term of 9 months commencing on 9 November 2019 and expiring on 8 August 2020 (b) for the s 319 offence, a sentence of 2 years imprisonment with a non-parole period 1 year 4 months, commencing on 9 February 2020, expiring on 8 February 2022, the non-parole period to expire on 8 June 2021 (c) for the offences for which the respondent was sentenced by Mahony SC DCJ, an aggregate sentence of 16 years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of 11 years, 6 months commencing on 9 November 2020 and expiring on 8 May 2032 and a balance of term of 4 years, 6 months expiring on 8 November 2036. (3) The overall effective sentence is 17 years' imprisonment commencing on 9 November 2019 and expiring on 8 November 2036 with a non-parole period of 12 years 6 months expiring on 8 May 2032. Catchwords: APPEALS — CRIME — Crown appeal against sentence — manifest inadequacy — aggregate sentence in respect of 19 offences of indecent assault, aggravated sexual assault of daughter and common assault — two sentences for breach of Apprehended Domestic Violence Order and soliciting mother to ask complainant to withdraw complaint (doing an act with intent to pervert the course of justice) — whether sentences unreasonable or plainly unjust — determination of appropriate sentence — residual discretion Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), ss 61, 61M, 66C, 66C, 166, 319 Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), s 5D Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW), s 14 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), ss 21A, 53A, 54A, 54B Cases Cited: Allen v R [2008] NSWCCA 11; (2008) 180 A Crim R 428 Bugmy v The Queen (2013) 249 CLR 571; [2013] HCA 37 Cahyadi v R [2007] NSWCCA 1; (2007) 168 A Crim R 41 CMB v Attorney General for the State of New South Wales (2015) 256 CLR 346; [2015] HCA 9 Corby v R [2010] NSWCCA 146 Dinsdale v The Queen (2000) 202 CLR 321; [2000] HCA 54 DS v R; DM v R (2022) 109 NSWLR 82; [2022] NSWCCA 156 Elias v The Queen; Issa v The Queen (2013) 248 CLR 483; [2013] HCA 31 Green v The Queen; Quinn v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 462; [2011] HCA 49 Hili v The Queen; Jones v The Queen (2010) 242 CLR 520; [2010] HCA 45 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 JM v R [2014] NSWCCA 297; 246 A Crim R 528 Marinellis v R [2006] NSWCCA 307 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357; [2005] HCA 25 Mill v The Queen (1988) 166 CLR 59; [1988] HCA 70 Muldrock v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 120; [2011] HCA 39 Nguyen v The Queen (2020) 269 CLR 299; [2020] HCA 23 Pearce v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 610; [1988] HCA 57 Postiglione v The Queen (1997) 189 CLR 295; [1997] HCA 26 R v MAK; R v MSK [2006] NSWCCA 381; (2006) 167 A Crim R 159 R v McNaughton (2006) 66 NSWLR 566; [2006] NSWCCA 242 R v Pearce [2020] NSWCCA 61 R v Whyte (2002) 55 NSWLR 252; [2002] NSWCCA 343 Smale v R [2009] NSWCCA 220 The Queen v Kilic (2016) 259 CLR 256; [2016] HCA 48 Veen v The Queen (No 2) (1988) 164 CLR 465; [1988] HCA 14 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Rex (Applicant) RJ (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: E Nicholson (Applicant) T Quilter / R Baldeo (Respondent)