Smith v R [2024] NSWCCA 59

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Smith v R [2024] NSWCCA 59 Hearing dates: 8 April 2024 Date of orders: 1 May 2024 Decision date: 01 May 2024 Before: Adamson JA at [1]; Basten AJA at [12]; Wilson J at [67] Decision: (1) Grant the applicant leave to appeal from the aggregate sentence imposed on 24 March 2023 in the District Court at Lismore. (2) Allow the appeal and set aside the sentence. (3) Resentence the applicant to imprisonment for 4 years, comprising, (a) a non-parole period of 2 years and 9 months to date from 23 February 2022, expiring on 22 November 2024, and (b) a balance of term of 15 months, expiring on 22 February 2026. (4) The applicant is first eligible for release on parole 22 November 2024. Catchwords: CRIME – sentence – appeal against sentence – denial of procedural fairness –– aggravated break and enter and larceny in company – unchallenged evidence of psychiatrist of causal link between psychiatric disorders and cognitive impairment and offending – evidence admitted without objection – psychiatrist not cross-examined – failure to give offender an opportunity to address on dismissal of evidence – relevance to offender's moral culpability – relevance to general deterrence Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), s 112(2) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), s 21A(2) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 191 Migration Act 1958 (Cth), s 424A(1) Cases Cited: Button v R [2010] NSWCCA 264 Commissioner for Australian Capital Territory Revenue v Alphaone Pty Ltd (1994) 49 FCR 576; [1994] FCA 1074 Dang v R [2014] NSWCCA 47 Goodridge v R [2014] NSWCCA 37 Hossain v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2018) 264 CLR 123; [2018] HCA 34 Lehn v R (2016) 93 NSWLR 205; [2016] NSWCCA 255 Minister for Immigration and Border Protection v WZARH (2015) 256 CLR 326; [2015] HCA 40 Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v SZGUR (2011) 241 CLR 594; [2011] HCA 1 Parker v Director of Public Prosecutions (1992) 28 NSWLR 282 Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs; Ex parte Miah (2001) 206 CLR 57; [2001] HCA 22 Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs; Ex parte Lam (2003) 214 CLR 1; [2003] HCA 6 Re Refugee Review Tribunal; Ex parte Aala (2000) 204 CLR 82; [2000] HCA 57 Stead v State Government Insurance Commission (1986) 161 CLR 141; [1986] HCA 54 Wei v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2015) 257 CLR 22; [2015] HCA 51 Weir v R [2011] NSWCCA 123 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Dylan Smith (Applicant) Rex (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: C O'Neill (Applicant) V Garrity (Respondent)