SafeWork NSW v Rahme Civil Pty Ltd; SafeWork NSW v Rabih Rahme [2024] NSWDC 561

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: SafeWork NSW v Rahme Civil Pty Ltd; SafeWork NSW v Rabih Rahme [2024] NSWDC 561 Hearing dates: 11 October 2024 Date of orders: 28 November 2024 Decision date: 28 November 2024 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Strathdee DCJ Decision: In proceedings no. 2022/376641: (1) The corporate defendant is convicted. (2) The appropriate fine for the offence is $500,000. (3) I exercise my discretion under s 6 of the Fines Act 1996 (NSW) and the fine will be reduced by 20%. (4) Accordingly, I order the defendant to pay a fine of $400,000. (5) Pursuant to s 122(2) of the Fines Act 1996 (NSW), 50% of the fine imposed is to be paid to the prosecutor. (6) Pursuant to s 257B of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), the defendant is to pay the prosecutor's costs, as agreed or assessed. In proceedings no. 2022/3766664: (1) The personal defendant is convicted. (2) The appropriate fine for the offence is $100,000.00. (3) I exercise my discretion under s 6 of the Fines Act 1996 (NSW) and the fine will be reduced by 50%. (4) Accordingly, I order the defendant to pay a fine of $50,000. (5) Pursuant to s 122(2) of the Fines Act 1996 (NSW), 50% of the fine imposed is to be paid to the prosecutor. (6) Pursuant to s 257B of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), the defendant is to pay the prosecutor's costs, as agreed or assessed. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – prosecution – work health and safety – duty of persons undertaking business – risk of death or serious injury – maximum penalty SENTENCE – objective seriousness – mitigating factors – aggravating factors – plea of guilty – appropriate discount for the utility of the plea – general deterrence – specific deterrence – remorse and contrition – maximum penalties COSTS – prosecutor's costs Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), ss 3A, 21, 22 Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) s 257B Fines Act 1996 (NSW) s 6, 122 Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW), ss 3, 31, 32 Cases Cited: Bulga Underground Operations Pty Ltd v Nash (2016) 93 NSWLR 338; [2016] NSWCCA 37 Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority (NSW) (2000) 49 NSWLR 610; [2000] NSWIRComm 71 Elias v The Queen; Issa v The Queen (2013) 248 CLR 483; [2013] HCA 31 Environmental Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Ferguson v Nelmac Pty Ltd (1999) 92 IR 188 Fisher v Samaras Industries Pty Ltd (1996) 82 IR 384 Haynes v CI & D Manufacturing Pty Ltd (No 2); Callaghan v CI & D Industries Pty Ltd (No 2) (1995) 60 IR 455 Inspector Beacham v J & L Marble Pty Ltd [2009] NSWIRComm 100 Inspector Fraser v Karabelas (No 2) [2011] NSWIRComm 153 Jahandideh v R [2014] NSWCCA 178 Latoudis v Casey [1990] HCA 59; (1990) 170 CLR 534 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority (NSW) (1999) 90 IR 464 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357; [2005] HCA 25 McColl v John Watson Building Services Pty Ltd (2004) 137 IR 310; [2004] NSWIRComm 353 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd (No 3) (2005) 147 IR 117; [2005] NSWIRComm 61 Muldrock v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 120; [2011] HCA 39 Nash v Silver City Drilling (NSW) Pty Ltd; Attorney General for New South Wales v Silver City Drilling (NSW) Pty Ltd [2017] NSWCCA 96 Orbit Drilling Pty Ltd v The Queen (2012) 35 VR 399; [2012] VSCA 82 R v Cage [2006] NSWCCA 304 R v MA (2004) 145 A Crim R 434; [2004] NSWCCA 92 R v Miria [2009] NSWCCA 68 R v MMK (2006) 164 A Crim R 481; [2006] NSWCCA 272 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; [2000] NSWCCA 309 R v Youkhana [2004] NSWCCA 412 Rahme v R (1989) 43 A Crim R 81 SafeWork NSW v Harris Holdings NSW Pty Ltd; SafeWork NSW v Harry Zizikas [2017] NSWDC 299 SafeWork NSW v HCM Building Pty Ltd [2019] NSWDC 632 SafeWork NSW v Rahme Civil Pty Ltd [2024] NSWDC 231 SafeWork NSW v Cosentino Australia Pty Ltd (No 2) [2018] NSWDC 182 SafeWork NSW v Grandcity Constructions Pty Ltd; SafeWork NSW v Cai [2018] NSWDC 398 Unity Pty Limited v SafeWork NSW [2018] NSWCCA 266 Veen v R (No 2) [1988] HCA 14; (1988) 164 CLR 465 WorkCover Authority of NSW v Sarjame Storage Pty Ltd [2015] NSWDC 151 WorkCover Authority (NSW) v Profab Industries Pty Ltd (2000) 49 NSWLR 700; [2000] NSWIRComm 142 Category: Sentence Parties: SafeWork NSW (Prosecutor) Rahme Civil Pty Ltd (Defendant) Rabih Rahme (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: C Magee (Prosecutor) R Pontello SC (Defendants)