R v Achurch [2011] NSWCCA 186

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: R v Achurch [2011] NSWCCA 186 Hearing dates: 27 May 2011 Decision date: 16 August 2011 Before: Macfarlan JA at 1 Johnson J at 2 Garling J at 174 Decision: 1. Crown appeal allowed. 2. Sentences imposed on the Respondent in the District Court on 6 August 2010 quashed. 3. In their place, the Respondent is sentenced as follows: (i) on the first count, sentenced to a fixed term of imprisonment of two years and three months commencing on 16 August 2006 and expiring on 15 November 2008, (ii) on the second count, sentenced to a non-parole period of six years commencing on 16 August 2007 and expiring on 15 August 2013 with a balance of term of two years commencing on 16 August 2013 and expiring on 15 August 2015, (iii) on the fourth count, sentenced to imprisonment by way of a non-parole period of 11 years commencing on 16 August 2008 and expiring on 15 August 2019, with a balance of term of five years commencing on 16 August 2019 and expiring on 15 August 2024. 4. The Respondent will be eligible for release on parole on 16 August 2019. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - Crown appeal on sentence - Respondent convicted at trial of three offences - supply large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine - supply commercial quantity of MDMA - supply MDMA - Respondent a principal in drug supply enterprise - standard non-parole period offences - errors in determination of objective seriousness - limited relevance of non-dissemination of drugs into community - markedly excessive weight given to Respondent's medical condition - subjective factors allowed to overwhelm objective seriousness of offences - failure to give proper regard to standard non-parole periods - sentences manifestly inadequate - Respondent resentenced Legislation Cited: Criminal Appeal Act 1912 Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999 Cases Cited: R v JW [2010] NSWCCA 49; 77 NSWLR 7 Khoury v R [2011] NSWCCA 118 R v Green; R v Quinn [2010] NSWCCA 313 Fahs v R [2007] NSWCCA 26 R v Way [2004] NSWCCA 131; 60 NSWLR 168 R v Sellars [2010] NSWCCA 133 R v Knight [2007] NSWCCA 283; 176 A Crim R 338 Hristovski v R [2010] NSWCCA 129 R v Chan [1999] NSWCCA 103 R v Gao [2007] NSWCCA 343 Ly v R [2008] NSWCCA 262 R v Smith (1987) 44 SASR 587 at 589 R v Sopher (1993) 70 A Crim R 570 R v Anastasiou [2010] NSWCCA 100 R v BJW [2000] NSWCCA 60; 112 A Crim R 1 R v Badanjak [2004] NSWCCA 395 R v Higgins [2002] NSWCCA 407; 133 A Crim R 385 R v Wickham [2004] NSWCCA 193 R v Dodd (1991) 57 A Crim R 349 R v Vachalec (1981) 1 NSWLR 351 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; 228 CLR 357 at 370-371 [25] Carroll v The Queen [2009] HCA 13; 83 ALJR 579 Lowndes v The Queen [1999] HCA 29; 195 CLR 665 House v the King [1936] HCA 40; 55 CLR 499 at 505 Hili v The Queen [2010] HCA 45; 85 ALJR 195 Vu v R [2006] NSWCCA 188 Cahyadi v R [2007] NSWCCA 1; 168 A Crim R 41 Hejazi v R [2009] NSWCCA 282 R v AJP [2004] NSWCCA 434; 150 A Crim R 575 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Regina (Appellant) Brian William Achurch (Respondent) Representation: Ms S Dowling (Appellant) Mr GA Brady (Respondent) Solicitor for Public Prosecutions (Appellant) Australian Criminal Law Specialists Pty Limited (Respondent) File Number(s): 2007/8060 Decision under appeal Date of Decision: 2010-08-06 00:00:00 Before: His Honour Judge Woods QC File Number(s): 2007/8060