GRENFELL, Richard Gerald v R [2009] NSWCCA 162

Reported Decision: 196 A Crim R 145

New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal

CITATION: GRENFELL, Richard Gerald v R [2009] NSWCCA 162

HEARING DATE(S): 2 June 2009

JUDGMENT DATE: 12 June 2009

JUDGMENT OF: Campbell JA at 1; Latham J at 9; Harrison J at 10

DECISION: Leave to appeal granted. Appeal dismissed.

CATCHWORDS: CRIMINAL LAW – sentencing – applicant pleaded guilty to social security fraud committed over 28 year period involving creation of false identity and in excess of $200,000 – applicant 77 years old and suffering from progressive optic atrophy, hypertensive nephrosclerosis and lumbo sacral degeneration - effective non-parole period of 2 years 8 months for all counts to be served concurrently – whether sentencing judge erred in failing to consider legislative change concerning s 29D of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) and s 135.1(2) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) – whether insufficient weight given to applicant's medical condition and disabilities – whether sentences manifestly excessive – no error found.

Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) LEGISLATION CITED: Criminal Appeal Act 1912 Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) Criminal Code Amendment (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Act 1999 (Cth)

CATEGORY: Principal judgment

Charkawi v R [2008] NSWCCA 159 Bick v R [2006] NSWCCA 408 R v De Vroome (1987) 38 A Crim R 146 R v Hinton [2002] NSWCCA 405, (2002) 134 A Crim R 286 R v Keir [2004] NSWCCA 106 CASES CITED : R v Purdon (Court of Criminal Appeal, 27 March 1997, unreported) R v Ronen [2006] NSWCCA 123, (2006) 161 A Crim R 300 R v Smith (1987) 44 SASR 587 R v Sopher (1993) 70 A Crim R 570 Rutkowskyj v R [2008] NSWCCA 10 SZ v R [2007] NSWCCA 19, (2007) 168 A Crim R 249 TYN v R [2009] NSWCCA 146