R v Howard [2024] NSWDC 514

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Howard [2024] NSWDC 514 Hearing dates: 28 October 2024 Date of orders: 1 November 2024 Decision date: 01 November 2024 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Newlinds SC DCJ Decision: (1) The Offender is convicted. (2) The Offender is sentenced to imprisonment for a period of 2 years commencing 31 October 2024 and expiring 30 October 2025. (3) Order, pursuant to s 20 of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), that the Offender is to be immediately released upon a Recognizance Release Order, in the amount of $1, without surety, for 2 years on the following conditions, which are found at para [59]. Catchwords: CRIME — Child sex offences — Using carriage service to groom person <16 years for sexual activity – Procuring or grooming child for unlawful sexual activity SENTENCING – Subjective considerations on sentence – Whether 'exceptional circumstances', including cognitive impairment and mental health issues, exist pursuant to s 20(1)(b)(ii) of Crimes Act 1914 – Sentenced to term of imprisonment and immediate release of offender on recognizance release order Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) s 16A; s 17A; s 20(1)(b)(ii); Criminal Code (Cth) s 474.26(1); s 474.29AA Cases Cited: BM v R [2019] NSWCCA 223 Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) v De La Rosa [2010] NSWCCA 194 DS v R; DM v R [2022] NSWCCA 156 Lazarus v R [2023] NSWCCA 214 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357 Moiler v R [2021] NSWCCA 73 R v Asplund [2010] NSWCCA 316 R v Bredal [2024] NSWCCA 75 R v Burdon; Ex parte Attorney-General Qld (2005) 153 A Crim R 104 R v Gajjar (2008) 192 A Crim R 76 R v Israil [2002] NSWCCA 255 R v Mueller [2015] NSWCCA 292 Tector v R [2008] NSWCCA 151 Tepania v R [2018] NSWCCA 247 Totaan v R (2022) 108 NSWLR 17 Category: Sentence Parties: Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (Crown) Bruce Howard (Offender) Representation: Counsel: T Dailly (Solicitor) (Crown) E Renard (Counsel) (Offender)