R v Hoerler [2003] NSWSC 1187

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : R v Hoerler [2003] NSWSC 1187 HEARING DATE(S) : 14-18, 21-25, 28-30 July 2003, 9 December 2003 JUDGMENT DATE : 11 December 2003 JURISDICTION: Common Law Division JUDGMENT OF : Miles AJ at 1 DECISION : Offender sentenced to imprisonment for 11 years commencing 5.10.01 and to expire on 4.10.12. I fix a non-parole period of 8 years and 3 months to commence on 5.10.01 and to expire on 4.1.10. See paragraph 53.

CATCHWORDS : Sentencing - manslaughter - late plea of guilty to manslaughter on indictment for murder - baby beaten to death by partner of mother - principles - whether worst category - whether maximum sentence appropriate - effect of plea - remorse - utilitarian value - deterrence - denunciation LEGISLATION CITED : Evidence Act, ss4, 60, 66, 81, 94 R v Withers (1925) SR 382 Woodland [2001] NSWSC 416 Vaughan (1991) 56 ACrimR 355 Ditford (unrep, NSWCCA, 17/3/92) R v Holder; R v Johnson (1983) 3 NSWLR 245 CASES CITED : Evers (unrep, CCA, 16/6/93) Guider [2002] NSWSC 756 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 Cameron v The Queen (2002) HCA 6 R v Sharma [2002] NSWCCA 142 Veen v The Queen (No.2) (1987) 164 CLR 465 Regina (Crown) PARTIES : v Christopher Hoerler (Offender) FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 70097/02 COUNSEL : C: Ms V Lydiard D: Mr M Paish SOLICITORS : C: Solicitor for Public Prosecutions, Ms T Adamson D: Ross Hill & Associates