RE v R [2024] NSWCCA 180

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: RE v R [2024] NSWCCA 180 Hearing dates: 24 July 2024 Date of orders: 27 September 2024 Decision date: 27 September 2024 Before: Mitchelmore JA at [1]; Davies J at [125]; Ierace J at [126] Decision: (1) Grant leave to appeal to the extent necessary on ground 1 and ground 4. (2) Allow the appeal. (3) Quash the appellant's convictions on counts 1 and 2. (4) In lieu thereof enter a verdict of acquittal on count 2 and order a new trial on count 1. (5) List the matter in the arraignments list in the District Court at Gosford on 3 October 2024 or as otherwise directed by that Court. Catchwords: CRIME — appeals — appeals against conviction — whether miscarriage of justice —Crown Prosecutor closing address — no evidence to support submissions on central issue — impermissible speculation — whether submissions affected jury verdict CRIME — appeals — appeals against conviction — whether miscarriage of justice — conduct of defence counsel — failure to object to submissions — failure to request evidentiary basis of Crown submissions — failure to address issue in cross-examination of complainant — defence case contrary to appellant's evidence — no rational reason for conduct of defence counsel CRIME — appeals — appeals against conviction — unreasonable verdict — whether supported by evidence — new evidence — new evidence confirming position at trial on agreed facts — Crown case run contrary to agreed facts on one count — reasonable doubt not explained by manner in which evidence given — appellant acquitted on one count Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), ss 66DB, 66C Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), ss 5, 6 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 38, 191 Supreme Court (Criminal Appeal) Rules 2021 (NSW), r 4.15 Cases Cited: Armstrong v R [2013] NSWCCA 113 Dansie v The Queen (2022) 274 CLR 651; [2022] HCA 25 EC (a pseudonym) v R [2023] NSWCCA 66 Hofer v The Queen (2021) 274 CLR 351; [2021] HCA 36 Lee v R [2023] NSWCCA 203 Livermore v R (2006) 67 NSWLR 659; [2006] NSWCCA 334 Lyndon v R [2014] NSWCCA 112 M v The Queen (1994) 181 CLR 487; [1994] HCA 63 Medich v R [2021] NSWCCA 36; (2021) 390 ALR 398 Nudd v The Queen [2006] HCA 9; (2006) 225 ALR 161 Ratten v The Queen (1974) 131 CLR 510; [1974] HCA 25 Roberts v R [2023] NSWCCA 187 TKWJ v The Queen (2002) 212 CLR 124; [2002] HCA 46 VP v R [2021] NSWCCA 11 Whitehorn v The Queen (1983) 152 CLR 657; [1983] HCA 42 Xie v R [2021] NSWCCA 1; (2021) 386 ALR 371 Category: Principal judgment Parties: RE (Appellant) Rex (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: S Buchen SC / S Howell (Appellant) G Newton SC / J Styles (Respondent)