Leung v Regina [2003] NSWCCA 51

Reported Decision : 144 A Crim R 441

New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal

CITATION : Leung v Regina [2003] NSWCCA 51 HEARING DATE(S) : 3/5/02, 8/11/02 JUDGMENT DATE : 1 May 2003

JUDGMENT OF : Meagher JA at 1; O'Keefe J at 2; Bell J at 105 DECISION : Appeal against conviction dismissed; leave to appeal against severity of sentence granted; appeal against such sentence dismissed.

CATCHWORDS : Criminal law - Evidence - Attempt to obtain possession of narcotic goods - More than commercial quantity - Circumstantial case - Prior entry into Australia using false name and documents - False banking and other documentation - Knowledge of goods in possession of accused - Suspicious circumstances combined with failure to make inquiry - Wilful blindness - Specific direction not required - Propensity - Character - Flight - Lies - Credibility - Ambit of s 108(3) of Evidence Act 1995 - Section 108(3) not limited to the particular witness in the witness box against whom relevant allegation made - Limitation on use of prior consistent statement admitted only under s 108(3) - Procedure to be adopted in relation to evidence concerning prior consistent statement - Error - No miscarriage of justice - Role of Appellant more than mere courier, not mastermind but performing organisational role in relevant criminal enterprise Customs Act 1901: ss 233B; LEGISLATION CITED : Evidence Act: ss 55, 66, 97(1), 100, 102, 103, 108(3), 112, 135, 137, 190(2), 192; Part 3.8 Criminal Appeal Rules: Rule 4 BD (1997) 94 A Crim R 131 Cheung v The Queen (2001) 76 ALJR 133 Giorgianni v The Queen (1985) 156 CLR 473 Graham v The Queen (1998) 195 CLR 606 He Kaw Teh v The Queen (1985) 157 CLR 523 Kural v The Queen (1987) 162 CLR 502 CASES CITED : Papakosmas v The Queen (1999) 196 CLR 297 Pereira v Director of Public Prosecutions (1989) 63 ALJR 1 R v A.N. [2000] NSWCCA 327 Regina v Isaacs (1997) 41 NSWLR 374 Regina v Martin (1981) 2 NSWLR 640 Savvas v The Queen (1995) 183 CLR 1 The Queen v Olbrich (1999) 199 CLR 270 PARTIES : Yiu Man Leung Regina FILE NUMBER(S) : CCA 60471/01 COUNSEL : Mr D Patch - Appellant Mr R Maidnent SC - Crown SOLICITORS : Rutlands Law Firm - Appellant DPP (Cth) - Crown