MacDonald v R [2024] NSWCCA 240

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: MacDonald v R [2024] NSWCCA 240 Hearing dates: 11 November 2024 Decision date: 20 December 2024 Before: Adamson JA at [1]; Ierace J at [237]; Sweeney J at [263] Decision: (1) Grant leave to appeal pursuant to s 5(1)(b) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW) in respect of all grounds. (2) Grant leave to appeal in respect of ground 1 pursuant to r 4.15 of the Supreme Court (Criminal Appeal) Rules 2021 (NSW). (3) Dismiss the appeal, except with respect to ground 3 in so far as it relates to count 11. (4) Quash the conviction on count 11 and, in lieu thereof, substitute a verdict of guilty of indecent assault contrary to s 61E(1) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) pursuant to s 7(2) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW). (5) Remit the matter to the District Court for re-sentence. (6) List the matter in the arraignment list in Wollongong at 9.30am on 10 February 2025. Catchwords: CRIME — appeals — appeal against conviction — inconsistent verdicts — where applicant convicted of 11 sexual offences against two children — where applicant was acquitted of one count charged — whether there was rational explanation for the acquittal — where complainant's evidence of acquitted count was uncertain compared to her evidence of other counts CRIME — appeals — appeal against conviction — unreasonable verdict — where applicant convicted of 11 sexual offences against two children — whether alleged implausibility of complainants' versions (because the conduct was so brazen) resulted in an unreasonable verdict — where offending conduct was committed in plain sight or when others were nearby — whether disparities between complainants' versions and evidence of complaint witnesses resulted in unreasonable verdict CRIME — appeals — appeal against conviction — miscarriage of justice — application of proviso — where applicant convicted of sexual intercourse without consent contrary to s 61D(1) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) — where complainant was under 16 years old — where Crown was required to prove the complainant did not consent to sexual intercourse — where trial judge misdirected jury as to consent element of offence — where defence counsel agreed to direction as given — whether misdirection resulted in substantial miscarriage of justice — whether proviso ought be applied Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), ss 61D, 61E, 76, 77 Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), ss 5, 6, 7 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 165B Supreme Court (Criminal Appeal) Rules 2021 (NSW), r 4.15 Cases Cited: Bridger v R [2022] NSWCCA 125 Director of Public Prosecutions (Vic) v Roder (a pseudonym) [2024] HCA 15; (2024) 98 ALJR 644 Filippou v The Queen (2015) 256 CLR 47; [2015] HCA 29 HCF v The Queen [2023] HCA 35; (2023) 97 ALJR 978 Hofer v The Queen (2021) 274 CLR 351; [2021] HCA 36 Hughes v The Queen (2017) 263 CLR 338; [2017] HCA 20 Kalbasi v Western Australia (2018) 264 CLR 62; [2018] HCA 7 Krakouer v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 202; [1998] HCA 43 M v The Queen (1994) 181 CLR 487; [1994] HCA 63 Malicki v R; R v Malicki [2015] NSWCCA 162 McGrath v R [2010] NSWCCA 48; (2010) 199 A Crim R 527 McKenzie v The Queen (1996) 190 CLR 348; [1996] HCA 35 MFA v The Queen (2002) 213 CLR 606; [2002] HCA 53 Nguyen v R [2017] NSWCCA 145 Obeid v R (2017) 96 NSWLR 155; [2017] NSWCCA 221 Omigie v R [2024] NSWCCA 205 Pell v The Queen (2020) 268 CLR 123; [2020] HCA 12 Quartermaine v The Queen (1980) 143 CLR 595; [1980] HCA 29 R v Birks (1990) 19 NSWLR 677 R v Gulliford [2004] NSWCCA 338; (2004) 148 A Crim R 558 R v Johnston (1998) 45 NSWLR 362 R v MacDonald [2024] NSWDC 136 R v Markuleski (2001) 52 NSWLR 82; [2001] NSWCCA 290 Sita v R [2022] NSWCCA 90 The Queen v Baden-Clay (2016) 258 CLR 308; [2016] HCA 35 TK v R (2009) 74 NSWLR 299; [2009] NSWCCA 151 TKWJ v The Queen (2002) 212 CLR 124; [2002] HCA 46 Wilde v The Queen (1988) 164 CLR 365; [1988] HCA 6 Z (a pseudonym) v R [2022] NSWCCA 8 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Kenneth MacDonald (Applicant) Rex (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: R Steward (Applicant) M Millward (Respondent)