R v Mesinez [2024] NSWDC 459

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Mesinez [2024] NSWDC 459 Hearing dates: 23 August 2024 Date of orders: 23 August 2024 Decision date: 23 August 2024 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Haesler SC DCJ Decision: Sentence of Imprisonment of 2 years 7 months with a non‑parole period of 1 year 4 months Catchwords: CRIME — Violent offences — Recklessly cause grievous bodily harm­ — Alcohol fuelled violence — One punch attack SENTENCING — Mitigating factors — Good character — No record of previous convictions — Plea of guilty — Rehabilitation — Remorse — Unlikely to re-offend SENTENCING — Penalties — Imprisonment SENTENCING — Relevant factors on sentence — General principles — Purposes of sentencing — Deterrence — General deterrence — Moral culpability — Objective seriousness — Assessment of objective seriousness based on a notional scale SENTENCING — Sentencing procedure — Instinctive synthesis SENTENCING — Subjective considerations on sentence — Age of offender — First time offender —First time in custody — Strict bail conditions — Abstention from alcohol SENTENCING — Victim Impact — Brain Injury — Loss of professional career Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) Cases Cited: Eaton v R [2023] NSWCCA 125 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Paterson v R [2021] NSWCCA 273 Pattalis v R [2013] NSWCCA 171 R v AEM; [2002] NSWCCA 58 R v Loveridge [2014] NSWCCA 120 R v Owen [2022] NSWCCA 214 R v Wood [2014] NSWCCA 184 Tepania v R [2018] NSWCCA 247 Veen v The Queen (No 2) [1988] HCA 14; (1988) 164 CLR 465 Williams v R [2012] NSWCCA 172 Category: Sentence Parties: Nathan Mesinez (the offender) Public Prosecutions (NSW) (Crown) Representation: Counsel: S Fraser (for the offender)