R v Craig [2024] NSWSC 1059

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Craig [2024] NSWSC 1059 Hearing dates: 12 August 2024 Date of orders: 21 August 2024 Decision date: 21 August 2024 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: N Adams J Decision: For the offence of manslaughter, Ellen Craig I convict you and sentence you to: (1) Imprisonment for a term of 9 years to commence on 16 November 2021 and expire on 15 November 2030. (2) The non-parole period is 6 years to commence on 16 November 2021 and expire on 15 November 2027. You will be eligible for parole on 15 November 2027. (3) Pursuant to s 25C of the Crimes (High Risk Offenders) Act 2006 (NSW), you are advised of the existence of that Act and of its application to the offence of which you have been convicted. Your legal representatives are requested to advise you of the implications of that Act to you. Catchwords: SENTENCE – MANSLAUGHTER – guilty plea – death occasioned by mother disciplining daughter in context of cult membership – delay – 37 years since commission of offence – application of s 21B of the Sentencing Act – sentenced in accordance with sentencing patterns and practices at the time of offending – harm to father of deceased taken into account as harm to the community – disciplinary practices of cult – degree of indoctrination into cult – objective seriousness above mid-range – genuine remorse – reasonable prospects of rehabilitation – mental and physical health issues – SMAP custodial status – special circumstances found Legislation Cited: Crimes (High Risk Offenders) Act 2006 (NSW) s 25C Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) ss 3A, 21B, 25D(3)(b), 30E Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) s 431A Cases Cited: Afful v R [2021] NSWCCA 111 Allerton v Director of Public Prosecutions (1991) 24 NSWLR 550 Bektasovski v R [2022] NSWCA 246 Britton v R [2024] NSWCCA 138 Brzozowski v R [2023] NSWCCA 129 Bugmy v The Queen (2013) 249 CLR 571; [2013] HCA 37 Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) v De La Rosa (2010) 79 NSWLR 1; [2010] NSWCCA 194 DS v R; DM v R (2022) 109 NSWLR 82; [2022] NSWCCA 156 Filippou v The Queen (2015) 256 CLR 47; [2015] HCA 29 Markarian v R (2005) 228 CLR 357; [2005] HCA 25 Paterson v R [2021] NSWCCA 273 R v Bilton [2000] NSWSC 1113 R v Blacklidge (Court of Criminal Appeal (NSW), Gleeson CJ, 12 December 1995, unreported) R v Blanco [1999] NSWCCA 121; (1999) 106 A Crim R 303 R v Bowie [2023] NSWSC 207 R v Byrne [2001] NSWSC 1164 R v DF [2022] NSWSC 762 R v GJL [2009] NSWDC 167 R v HA [2008] NSWSC 1368 R v Hoerler [2004] NSWCCA 184; (2004) 147 A Crim R 520 R v Hull (1989) 16 NSWLR 385 R v Lavender (2005) 222 CLR 67; [2005] HCA 37 R v Mika; R v Sagato [2000] NSWSC 852; (2000) 116 A Crim R 31 R v Monroe [2003] NSWSC 1271; (2003) 149 A Crim R 478 R v Mundene [2007] NSWSC 355 R v NLH [2010] NSWSC 662 R v O'Brien [2003] NSWCCA 121 R v Shepherd [2010] NSWSC 154 R v Thomas Sam; R v Manju Sam (No. 18) [2009] NSWSC 1003 R v Van Ryn [2016] NSWCCA 160 R v Watson (No 3) [2022] NSWSC 1693 R v White [2023] NSWSC 611 R v Wilson [2003] NSWSC 1257 Stephens v The Queen (2022) 273 CLR 635; [2022] HCA 31 Stojanovski v R [2013] NSWCCA 334 Tepania v R [2018] NSWCCA 247; (2018) 275 A Crim R 233 The Queen v Olbrich (1999) 199 CLR 270; [1999] HCA 54 TJ v R (2009) 76 NSWLR 167; [2009] NSWCCA 257 Category: Sentence Parties: Rex (Crown) Ellen Rachel Craig (Offender) Representation: Counsel: K Jeffreys (Crown) N Broadbent/D Buchanan (Offender)