Tan v R [2008] NSWCCA 332

Reported Decision: 192 A Crim R 310

New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal

CITATION: Tan v R [2008] NSWCCA 332

HEARING DATE(S): 21 November 2008

JUDGMENT DATE: 19 December 2008

JUDGMENT OF: Tobias JA at 1; Barr J at 141; Kirby J at 142

DECISION: Appeal dismissed

CATCHWORDS: CRIMINAL LAW – Appeal against conviction – Discharging firearm in public place – Whether miscarriage of justice - CRIMINAL LAW – Evidence – Evidentiary matters relating to witnesses – Admission of evidence – Availability of witnesses – Evidence Act 1995 s 65 – Whether witness unavailable – Witness claimed to be unable to recall subject events – Not relevantly 'unavailable' – Whether evidence would have otherwise been admissible – No miscarriage despite error – Prior inconsistent statement – Credibility rule – Crown application to cross-examine own witness – Evidence containing admissions by appellant – Whether impermissible hearsay evidence – Whether jury should have been allowed to take certain exhibits into jury room – 'Swamping effect' of evidence – Whether verdict unreasonable and insupportable by the evidence

Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) LEGISLATION CITED: Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) Evidence (Children) Act 1997 (NSW)

CATEGORY: Principal judgment

Adam v The Queen [2001] HCA 57; (2001) 207 CLR 96 Brown & Ors v R [2006] NSWCCA 69 Cox v State of New South Wales [2007] NSWSC 471; (2007) Aust Torts Reports 81-888 R v GAC (NSWCCA, 1 April 1997, unreported) R v Germakian [2007] NSWCCA 373; (2007) 70 NSWLR 467 Jones v The Queen (1997) 191 CLR 439 CASES CITED : Lee v The Queen (1998) 195 CLR 594 M v The Queen (1994) 181 CLR 487 MFA v The Queen [2002] HCA 53; (2002) 213 CLR 606 R v NZ [2005] NSWCCA 278; (2005) 63 NSWLR 628 Ratten v The Queen (1974) 131 CLR 510 R v RTGS [2005] NSWCCA 293 R v Suteski [2002] NSWCCA 509; (2002) 56 NSWLR 182