R v NTSELE [2003] NSWCCA 111

Reported Decision : 141 A Crim R 33

New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal

CITATION : R v NTSELE [2003] NSWCCA 111 HEARING DATE(S) : 8 April 2003 JUDGMENT DATE : 30 April 2003

JUDGMENT OF : Sully J at 1; Levine J at 2; Buddin J at 44 DECISION : 1. That the Commonwealth Director's appeal be allowed.; 2. That the non-parole period in respect of the first charge in relation to the heroin be set aside, but the head sentence of 6 years be confirmed to date from 28 March 2001.; 3. That the sentence respecting the charge in relation to cocaine be quashed and in lieu the respondent be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 8 years to date from 28 March 2001. In respect of both sentences a non-parole period of 4 years is fixed, accordingly entitling the respondent to be released to parole on 27 March 2005.

CATCHWORDS : Crown Appeal - two offenders - same charges - different objective facts in relation to each offender - no question of parity - manifest inadequacy with respect to one offence - delay of Crown in filing appeal - discretionary considerations LEGISLATION CITED : Customs Act 1901 s233B(1)(c) Pearce v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 610 R v Bardo (NSW CCA, unreported, 14 July 1992) R v Barrientos [1999] NSWCCA 1 R v Bernier (1998) 102 A Crim R 44 R v Galati [2002] NSWCCA 36 CASES CITED : R v Holder & Johnston (1983) 3 NSWLR 245 R v Olbrich (1999) 199 CLR 270 R v Pham & Ly (1991) 55 A Crim R 128 R v Y [2002] NSWCCA 191 The Queen v Karacic (2001) 121 A Crim R 7 Wong v The Queen, Leung v the Queen (2001) 207 CLR 584 REGINA