Director of Public Prosecutions v Robert Alan PEARCE [2011] NSWLC 32

Local Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Director of Public Prosecutions v Robert Alan PEARCE [2011] NSWLC 32 Hearing dates: 25/11/2011 Decision date: 16 December 2011 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Henson DCJ, Chief Magistrate Decision: See paragraphs [42]-[44] Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - negligent driving occasioning death - collision occurred upon offender, a truck driver, falling asleep at wheel - subsequent diagnosis of severe obstructive sleep apnoea

SENTENCING - need for general deterrence and denunciation - court to act with caution in showing leniency despite otherwise good character of offender - sentence of imprisonment the only appropriate option - offender an interstate resident - home detention order or intensive correction order not available - suspended sentence imposed Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Criminal Procedure Act 1986 Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Act 1999 Cases Cited: Bonsu v R [2009] NSWCCA 316 DPP v Cooke [2007] NSWCA 2 Police v Curkovic (unreported, Henson LCM, 16/1/08) R v AB [2011] NSWCCA 229 R v Borkowski (2009) 195 A Crim R 1 R v Jurisic (1998) 45 LSWLR 209 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 R v Way (2004) 60 NSWLR 168 R v Whyte (2002) 55 NSWLR 252 R v Zamagias [2002] NSWCCA 17 Re Application by Attorney General (No 3 of 2002) (2004) 61 NSWLR 305 (Guideline Judgment for High Range PCA offences) Siganto v R (1998) 194 CLR 656 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Director of Public Prosecutions Robert Alan Pearce (the offender) Representation: Ms Phelps for the offender Mr Stanhope for the DPP File Number(s): 2010/90310