Bhatt v R [2024] NSWCCA 214

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Bhatt v R [2024] NSWCCA 214 Hearing dates: 4 November 2024 Date of orders: 22 November 2024 Decision date: 22 November 2024 Before: Fagan J at [1] Chen J at [18] Sweeney J at [107] Decision: (1) Grant leave to appeal. (2) Dismiss the appeal. Catchwords: CRIME – Appeal against sentence – One count of cause grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm – Whether sentencing judge failed to give legally sufficient reasons for declining to find that the applicant's mental health conditions contributed to the offending – Where opinion of forensic psychologist is based upon facts favourable to the applicant not found by the sentencing judge – Whether sentencing judge erred in failing to find that the applicant was provoked and/or whether she provided legally sufficient reasons – Whether sentencing judge made "material factual error" – No error by sentencing judge established – Leave to appeal granted – Appeal dismissed Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW) Cases Cited: Azzopardi v Tasman UEB Industries Ltd (1985) 4 NSWLR 139 DS v R; DM v R (2022) 109 NSWLR 82; [2022] NSWCCA 156 Imbornone v R [2017] NSWCCA 144 Karaali v R [2024] NSWCCA 162 Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705; [2001] NSWCA 305 McPhee v S Bennett Ltd (1934) 52 WN (NSW) 8 Mifsud v Campbell (1991) 21 NSWLR 725 Ocek v R [2023] NSWCCA 308 Paric v John Holland (Constructions) Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 58; (1985) 59 ALJR 844 Prouten v Chapman [2021] NSWCA 207 R v Mendez [2002] NSWCCA 415 R v Qutami [2001] NSWCCA 353 Resource Pacific Pty Ltd v Wilkinson [2013] NSWCA 33 Small v K & R Fabrications (W'gong) Pty Ltd [2016] NSWCA 70 Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1987) 10 NSWLR 247 Whisprun Pty Ltd v Dixon [2003] HCA 48; (2003) 77 ALJR 1598 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Kedar Bhatt (Applicant) Rex (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: B Barrack (Applicant) E Wilkins SC (Respondent)