Rolfe v Regina [2007] NSWCCA 155

Reported Decision: 173 A Crim R 168

New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal

CITATION: Rolfe v Regina [2007] NSWCCA 155 This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.

HEARING DATE(S): 2 May 2007

JUDGMENT DATE: 14 June 2007

JUDGMENT OF: Giles JA at 1; James J at 143; Harrison J at 144

DECISION: Appeal against conviction dismissed. Application for leave to appeal against sentence granted. Appeal against sentence dismissed.

CATCHWORDS: Criminal law - sexual misconduct towards child - whether evidence inadmissible under s 293 Criminal Procedure Act because relating to complainant's sexual experience - whether exception in s 293(6) available - accused conceded admissible - did not apply to cross-examine pursuant to s 293(6) - no miscarriage of justice - admissions by accused of sexual misconduct towards complainant - not specifically of misconduct charged - whether "relationship evidence" - had additional relevance as admission - no application to exclude evidence of admissions - no miscarriage of justice - no miscarriage of justice because on counsel's advice accused did not give evidence - open to jury to be satisfied of guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Gipp v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 106; KRM v The Queen (2001) 206 CLR 221; M v R (1993) 67 A Crim R 549; MFA v The Queen (2002) 213 CLR 606; Papakosmas v The Queen (1999) 196 CLR 297; Qualtieri v R [2006] NSWCCA 95; R v AH (1997) 42 NSWLR 702; R v Bernthaler (CCA, 17 Dcember 1993, unreported); R v Beserick (1993) 30 NSWLR 510; R v Button [2002] NSWCCA 159; CASES CITED: R v BWT (2002) 54 NSWLR 241; R v Centraco [2005] NSWCCA 11; R v Fraser (10 August 1998, unreported) R v Greenham [1999] NSWCCA 8; R v Hagarty (2004) 145 A Crim R 138; R v L (CCA, 6 April 1992, unreported) R v McKeon (1986) 31 A Crim R 357; R v Murray (1987) 11 NSWLR 12; R v Wickham (CCA, 17 December 1991, unreported); Seymour v R [2006] NSWCCA 206; Tully v The Queen (2006) 81 ALJR 391.