Regina v Potier [2004] NSWCCA 136

New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal

CITATION : Regina v Potier [2004] NSWCCA 136 HEARING DATE(S) : 21/4/04, 4/8/04 JUDGMENT DATE : 25 August 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Wood CJ at CL at 1; Simpson J at 1; Bell J at 1 DECISION : 1.Defendant's application for leave to appeal against severity of the sentences refused. 2.Crown appeal against leniency allowed. 3. Quash the sentences below, and in lieu thereof; (a) sentence the defendant, in relation to Count 2, to a term of imprisonment for 6 years and 8 months, to commence from 8 May 2000, with a non-parole period of 5 years, similarly to commence from 8 May 2000 and to expire on 7 May 2005; (b) sentence the defendant in relation to Count 1 to a term of imprisonment for 6 years and 8 months, to commence from 8 May 2002, with a non-parole period of 4 years and 3 months, to commence from 8 May 2002 and to expire on 7 August 2006.

CATCHWORDS : Criminal law - soliciting to murder- context of custody battle - seeking leave to appeal against severity of sentence - Crown appeal against manifest inadequacy of sentence - question of inherent criminality. Crimes Act 1900 LEGISLATION CITED : Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Criminal Appeal Act 1912 Griffiths v The Queen (1977) 137 CLR 293 Johnson v The Queen [2004] HCA 15 Neal v The Queen (1982) 149 CLR 305 Pearce v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 610 R v Ah-See [2004] NSWCCA 202 R v Bednarz [2000] NSWCCA 533 R v Derbas [2003] NSWCCA 44 Regina v Durocher-Yvon [2003] NSWCCA 299 Regina v Hayes [2001] NSWCCA 410 R v Hofer [2001] NSWCCA 544 R v Kain [2004] NSWCCA 143 CASES CITED : R v Lewis (1998) 100 A Crim R 361 R v Marat AY NSWCCA 30 October 1998 R v Morgan (1993) 70 A Crim R 368 R v Mostyn [2004] NSWCCA 97 R v Oliver NSWCCA 20 March 1980 Regina v Qutami [2001] NSWCCA 353 R v Scognamiglio (1991) 56 A Crim R 81 R v Scott [2003] NSWCCA 28 R v Taouk (1993) 65 A Crim R 387 R v Totten [2003] NSWCCA 207 R v Visconti [1982] 2 NSWLR 104 Regina v Way [2004] NSWCCA 131 R v Wright NSWCCA 28 February 1997 PARTIES : Regina Malcolm Huntley Potier FILE NUMBER(S) : CCA 60695/01; 60403/02 COUNSEL : P Power SC (Crown - 60403/02 and 60695/01) Ms J Mundey (Respondent 60403/02) C K Smith (Crown) SOLICITORS : S E O'Connor (60403/02) Applicant in Person (60695/01)