Gonzales v Regina [2007] NSWCCA 321

Reported Decision: 178 A Crim R 232

New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal

CITATION: Gonzales v Regina [2007] NSWCCA 321 This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.

HEARING DATE(S): 22 and 23 August 2007

JUDGMENT DATE: 27 November 2007

JUDGMENT OF: Giles JA at 1; Howie J at 178; Fullerton J at 179

DECISION: (1) Extend the time for filing the notice of appeal and application for leave to appeal up to and including 21 May 2007; (2) Dismiss the appeal against conviction; (3) Grant leave to appeal against sentence but dismiss the appeal.

CATCHWORDS: EVIDENCE - admissions by accused - giving false alibi - not recorded - whether made inadmissible by s 281 Criminal Procedure Act - whether inadmissible in absence of objection at trial - whether evidence available at trial admissible on appeal to establish inadmissability - whether accused a suspect when admissions made - relevance of some evidence. CRIMINAL LAW - conduct of Crown Prosecutor - whether departure from standards of fairness in cross-examination and address to the jury - whether error in putting in cross-examination that accused said Crown witnesses were wrong. SENTENCING - life sentence mandatory if culpability so extreme that community interest can only be met by a life sentence - regard to youth and possibility of rehabilitation - regard to role of Parole Board - whether sentences out of line with the pattern of sentences.

Adanguidi v R [2006] NSWCCA 404; De Gruchy v The Queen (2002) 211 CLR 85; Gallagher v The Queen (1986) 160 CLR 392; Kelly v The Queen (2004) 218 CLR 216; Knight v R (2006) 164 A Crim R 126; Lawless v The Queen (1979) 142 CLR 659; Libke v The Queen (2007) 81 ALJR 1309; Livermore v R [2006] NSWCCA 334; Mickelberg v The Queen (1989) 167 CLR 259; Palmer v The Queen (1998) 183 CLR 1; Papakosmas v The Queen (1999) 196 CLR 297; Perpetual Trustee Company Ltd v Khosaba [2006] NSWCA 41; R v Blick (2000) 111 A Crim R 326; R v Booty (CCA, 19 December 1994, unreported); R v Buckley (2004) 149 A Crim R 122; R v Chai [2002] NSWCCA 512; R v Cook [2004] NSWCCA 52; R v Crump (CCA, 30 May 1993, unreported); R v De Gruchy (2000) 110 A Crim R 271; R v Denyer (1995) 1 VR 186; R v Fernando and Fernando (1997) A Crim R 533; R v Gapper[2007] SASC 119; R v GH (2000) 105 FCR 419; R v Gilbert (CCA, 10 December 1998, unreported); R v Glen [1999] NSWSC 1018; CASES CITED: R v Harris (2000) 50 NSWLR 409; R v Horton (1998) 45 NSWLR 426; R v Kaddour [2005] NSWCCA 330; R v Lawrence (1980) 1 NSWLR 122; R v Leak (1969) SASR 172; R v Leonard (CCA, 7 December 1998, unreported); R v Lewis [2003] NSWCCA 180; R v Liristis (2004) 146 A Crim R 547; R v Lyberopoulos [2002] NSWCCA 280; R v McCullough (1982) 6 A Crim R 274; R v Merritt (2004) 59 NSWLR 557; R v Praturlon (CCA, 29 November 1985, unreported); R v Reid [1999] NSWCCA 258; R v Rich (1998) 102 A Crim R 165; R v Robinson [2000] NSWSC 972; R v Robinson [2000] NSWCCA 359; R v Roulston (1976) 2 NZLR 644; R v Rugari (2001) 122 A Crim R 1; R v Slack (2003) A Crim R 314; R v Spathis and Patsalis [2001] NSWCCA 476; R v Taouk (2005) 154 A Crim R 69; R v Valera [2002] NSWCCA 50; R v Whitmore [1999] NSWCCA 75; Selsam Pty Ltd v McGuiness (2000) 49 NSWLR 262; Shaw v The Queen (1952) 85 CLR 365; Whitehorn v The Queen (1983) 152 CLR 657.