R v Hawkins (No 4) [2023] NSWSC 1496

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Hawkins (No 4) [2023] NSWSC 1496 Hearing dates: 21 November 2023 Date of orders: 21 November 2023 Decision date: 21 November 2023 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Hamill J Decision: (1) Leave under s 108(3) of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) granted to adduce the evidence of Keira Thorby and Dillon McDougall; and (2) Leave refused in respect of the evidence of AC. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – credibility evidence – application to adduce prior consistent statements to re-establish witness's credibility – operation of s 108(3) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) – whether s 108(3) only applies to re-examination – suggestion that witness fabricated evidence – whether unfairness arose through inability of accused to cross-examine witness on statements – consideration of the way the evidence emerged – where fact of conversation but no details led in chief – sound forensic choice not to cross-examine – no relevant unfairness – importance of evidence – timing of alleged fabrication of evidence – where consistent statement pre-dated fabrication – direction limiting use of evidence Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 37(1)(c), 108(1), 108(3), 108(3)(a), 108(3)(b), 136, 192, 192(2)(b) Cases Cited: Doyle v R; R v Doyle [2014] NSWCCA 4 Graham v The Queen (1998) 195 CLR 606; [1998] HCA 61 Nikolaidis v The Queen (2008) 191 A Crim R 556; [2008] NSWCCA 323 R v DBG (2002) 133 A Crim R 227; [2002] NSWCCA 328 R v MDB [2005] NSWCCA 354 Category: Procedural rulings Parties: Rex Jason Paul Hawkins Representation: Counsel: B Hatfield (Rex) B Bickford (Hawkins)