R v Helen Ryan ; R v Coralie Coulter [2011] NSWSC 1249

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Helen Ryan ; R v Coralie Coulter [2011] NSWSC 1249 Hearing dates: 30,31 May 2011;1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 24, 27, 28, 30 June 2011; 1, 4 July 2011; 9, 16 September 2011 Decision date: 21 October 2011 Jurisdiction: Common Law - Criminal Before: Latham J Decision: Helen Ryan Convicted of the offence of murder. Sentenced to a non parole period of 27 years to date from 8 February 2010, expiring 7 February 2037, with a balance of term of 9 years, expiring 7 February 2046. Eligible for release to parole on 8 February 2037. Coralie Coulter Convicted of the offence of murder. Sentenced to a non parole period of 18 years, to date from 10 February 2010, expiring 9 February 2028, with a balance of term of 9 years expiring 9 February 2037. Eligible for release to parole on 10 February 2028. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - sentence - murder - verdict after trial - contract killing - first offender arranged contract - objective gravity of a very high order - close to worst category offence - largely financial motive - no remorse or contrition - no basis for special circumstances - second offender provided bulk of deposit - criminality of a lesser order - no contrition or remorse - adjustment to statutory ratio as sentence will probably result in offender living the remainder of life in prison. Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Cases Cited: Muldrock v The Queen [2011] HCA 39 R v Kalajzich (1997) 94 A Crim R 41 Barton v R [2009] NSWCCA 164 Category: Sentence Parties: Regina - (Crown) Helen Kay Ryan - (Offender) Coralie coulter - (Offender) Representation: Counsel T Thorpe - (Crown) J Spencer - (Offender) M Austin - (Offender) Solicitors S Kavanagh Solicitor for Public Prosecutions - (Crown) George Sten & Co - (Offender) Gordon Elliott - (Offender) File Number(s): 2009/282687; 2010/35082