Regina v David Buck [2006] NSWDC 9

New South Wales District Court

CITATION: Regina v David Buck [2006] NSWDC 9

JUDGMENT DATE: 2 June 2006

JUDGMENT OF: Finnane QC DCJ

DECISION: I sentence the offender pursuant to section 9 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act, 1999 to be of good behaviour for a period of five years from today. That bond commences today, the 2nd of June 2006 and ends on the 1st of June 2011.; It is a condition of that bond that within seven days from today he place himself under the supervision of the Probation and Parole Service by reporting to the Gosford office of the Probation and Parole Service within that seven-day period. I require him to submit to their guidance and supervision for such time, as they consider necessary. He is to undertake such programmes, as that service considers important. He is to continue receiving psychiatric treatment under the supervision of the St John of God Hospital until that hospital should release him from the need for any further treatment.

CATCHWORDS: psychiatric evidence - psychological issues - effect of casualty of war - plea of guilty - state of depression - extortion - good character - gambling addiction - alcohol addiction

LEGISLATION CITED: Crimes Act 1900

PARTIES: Regina David Buck

FILE NUMBER(S): 05/11/1121

COUNSEL: Mr P Hogan (Offender)

SOLICITORS: Ms A Baht (NSW DPP)

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SENTENCE Introduction.

1 Every so often, there comes before a criminal court an offender who is quite out of the ordinary. David Buck, a former Lieutenant- Commander in the Australian Navy is one such person. It is tragic to see before me, a man who gave 36 years of exceptional and honourable service to the people of Australia.

2 The circumstances of his being here are bizarre. He went to a registered club in the early afternoon, wearing a backpack, which had wires hanging from it and pretending to be a Jew who was wired up with 11 kg of explosives, which could be detonated from a remote position by Arabs.