KNIGHT v REGINA [2006] NSWCCA 292

Reported Decision : 164 A Crim R 126

New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal

CITATION: KNIGHT v REGINA [2006] NSWCCA 292

HEARING DATE(S): 28 June 2006

JUDGMENT DATE: 11 September 2006

JUDGMENT OF: McClellan CJ at CL at 1; Adams J at 48; Latham J at 70

DECISION: Appeal dismissed

CATCHWORDS: CRIMINAL LAW – application for leave to appeal against sentence – murder – life sentence –principles relevant to imposing natural life sentences – whether the offence was in the worst class of case – premeditation – whether mutilation of deceased's body following murder was relevant to objective seriousness of offence – degree of violence – degree of danger to the community – risk of re-offending – no real prospects of rehabilitation – personality disorder – psychiatric evidence of personality – mental stability – likely future personality – no discount given for guilty plea –- no prior convictions – whether sentence manifestly excessive – protection of the community

Crimes Act 1900 LEGISLATION CITED: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Crimes (Administration of Sentencing) Act 1999

DPP v England (1997) 186 A Crim R 99 Ibbs v The Queen (1987) 163 CLR 447 R v Baker (unreported, CCA 20 September 1995) R v Bell (1985) 2 NSWLR 466 R v Benitez (2006) NSWCCA 21 R v Cramp (2004) NSWCCA 264 R v Engert (1995) 84 A Crim R 67 R v Garforth (unreported CCA 23 May 1994 R v Kalache [2000] NSWCCA 2 R v Kalazich (1997) 94 A Crim R 41 CASES CITED: R v Merritt (2004) 59 NSWLR 557 R v Miles [2002] NSWCCA 276 R v Petroff (unreported, 12 November 1991) R v Scognamiglio (1991) 56 A Crim R 81 R v SLD (2003) 58 NSWLR 589 R v Sutton [2004] NSWCCA 225 R v Thomson and Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 371 R v Valera [2002] NSWCCA 50 R v Wright (1997) 93 A Crim R 48 R v Yeo (2002) NSWSC 315 Veen v The Queen (No 2) (1988) 164 CLR 465 at 478 Weininger v The Queen (2003) 212 CLR 629