R v Burton [2023] NSWCCA 299

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: R v Burton [2023] NSWCCA 299 Hearing dates: 8 November 2023 Decision date: 29 November 2023 Before: Leeming JA; Walton J; Fagan J Decision: 1. Appeal allowed. 2. Quash the aggregate sentence of 5 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 3 years and a commencement date of 16 April 2021 imposed by the District Court on 21 July 2023 for counts 3, 4, 5 and 6, and in lieu thereof impose an aggregate sentence of 8 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 4 years and 8 months commencing on 25 March 2022 and expiring on 24 November 2026, and a balance of term of 3 years and 4 months expiring on 24 March 2030. 3. Vary the sentence imposed by the District Court on 21 July 2023 for counts 1 and 2 so that it commences on 25 September 2021. The non-parole period of that sentence concludes on 24 March 2024 and the balance of the term of that sentence expires on 24 September 2026. 4. The earliest date on which the respondent may apply for parole is 25 November 2026. Catchwords: CRIME – Crown appeal – whether aggregate sentence for multiple counts of supplies of large commercial quantities of prohibited drugs manifestly inadequate – totality - significance of sentences previously imposed for separate supplies of large commercial quantities of prohibited drugs – significance of separate sentence imposed by sentencing judge for separate offending contrary to federal law – whether inadequacy of sentence so marked that amounted to an affront to justice – appeal allowed and respondent resentenced Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), ss 16BA, 16E Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), ss 24, 33, 47, 53A Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), ss 5D, 7(1A) Criminal Code (Cth), ss 11.1, 11.2, 307.2, 307.5 Criminal Code Regulations 2019 (Cth) Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW), ss 25 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth), ss 68, 79 Cases Cited: Attorney-General (Cth) v Huynh [2023] HCA 13; 97 ALJR 298 Bott v R [2023] NSWCCA 255 Bugmy v The Queen (2013) 249 CLR 571; [2013] HCA 37 Chiarlini v R [2023] NSWCCA 227 Chu v R [2023] NSWCCA 13 El-Helou v R [2014] NSWCCA 209 Elmir v R [2023] NSWCCA 260 Green v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 462; [2011] HCA 49 Mill v The Queen (1988) 166 CLR 59; [1988] HCA 70 Peel v The Queen (1971) 125 CLR 447; [1971] HCA 59 Postiglione v The Queen (1997) 189 CLR 295; [1997] HCA 26 R v MAK; R v MSK [2006] NSWCCA 381; 167 A Crim R 159 Rizeq v Western Australia (2017) 262 CLR 1; [2017] HCA 23 Rodgers v R [2018] NSWCCA 47 Rohde v Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (1986) 161 CLR 119; [1986] HCA 50 Shi v R [2017] NSWCCA 126 Williams v The King (No 2) (1934) 50 CLR 551; [1934] HCA 19 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) (Appellant) Josiah James Burton (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: R Ranken (Appellant) A Francis (Respondent)