JA v R [2024] NSWCCA 130

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: JA v R [2024] NSWCCA 130 Hearing dates: 7 June 2024 Date of orders: 17 July 2024 Decision date: 17 July 2024 Before: Basten AJA at [1]; N Adams J at [28]; Huggett J at [51] Decision: (1) Extend the time for service of the notice of appeal up to and including 24 April 2024. (2) Grant the applicant leave to appeal from the sentence imposed on him in the District Court on 28 March 2023. (3) Set aside the sentence and re-sentence the applicant to: (a) a non-parole period of 10 years 4 months, commencing on 26 March 2021 and expiring on 25 July 2031, and (b) a balance of term of 4 years 2 months, expiring on 25 September 2035. (4) The applicant will be eligible for parole on and from 25 July 2031. Catchwords: CRIME – sentencing – finding of special circumstances – "very minor adjustment" of non-parole period intended – no adjustment downwards, but slight increase in default ratio of non-parole period to head sentence – need to re-exercise sentencing discretion – manner of re-exercising discretion where parties do not challenge aspects of sentencing judge's findings Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), ss 61, 66EA Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), s 6, Pt 3, Div 1A, ss 25A-25F, 43, 44 Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), ss 5, 6 Cases Cited: Benn v R [2023] NSWCCA 24 Black v R (2022) 107 NSWLR 225; [2022] NSWCCA 17 Christian v R [2021] NSWCCA 300 DB v R [2024] NSWCCA 18 Fairbairn v Regina [2006] NSWCCA 337; 165 A Crim R 434 Fuller v R [2022] NSWCCA 203 GAS v The Queen (2004) 217 CLR 198; [2004] HCA 22 Ibbotson (a pseudonym) v R [2020] NSWCCA 92 Ke v R [2021] NSWCCA 177 Kentwell v The Queen (2014) 252 CLR 601; [2014] HCA 37 Lehn v R (2016) 93 NSWLR 205; [2016] NSWCCA 255 Li v R (Cth) [2021] NSWCCA 100 Murray v R [2024] NSWCCA 107 Newman (a pseudonym) v R [2019] NSWCCA 157 O'Neil-Shaw v R [2010] NSWCCA 42 Parker v Director of Public Prosecutions (1992) 28 NSWLR 282 Refaieh v R [2018] NSWCCA 72; 272 A Crim R 245 Sausa v R [2023] NSWCCA 95 Xerri v The King [2024] HCA 5 Category: Principal judgment Parties: JA (Applicant) Rex (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: L Brasch (Applicant) J Styles (Respondent)