R v Billings [2012] NSWSC 1020

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Billings [2012] NSWSC 1020 Hearing dates: 10, 12, 16-20, 23-24, 26-27, 30 April 2012;1-3, 7, 9-11, 14-17, 21-25, 28-30 May 2012;6 June 2012; 24 August 2012 Decision date: 31 August 2012 Before: Barr AJ Decision: Craig Billings sentenced to imprisonment. A non-parole period of 30 years is set. That period will be taken to have commenced on 30 July 2007 and will expire on 29 July 2037. The balance of the term of the sentence is 10 years, expiring on 29 July 2047. The first day on which Mr Billings will become eligible for release to parole will be 29 July 2037. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - trial by jury - convicted of five offences - sentence - aggregate sentences - robbery - murder - armed with firearm - discharge firearm - aggravated take motor vehicle - no remorse - aggregate sentences Category: Sentence Parties: Regina (Crown) Craig Ronald Billings (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: T Bailey (Crown) A Webb/S Fraser (Defendant) Solicitors: Director of Public Prosecutions (Crown) O'Brien Solicitors (Defendant) File Number(s): 2009/236209

REMARKS ON SENTENCE 1Following a trial by jury the offender, Craig Ronald Billings, was found guilty of the following offences - 1. On 21 December 2006 at Randwick, while armed with an offensive weapon, he robbed Alan Veney of certain property and at the same time wounded him. 2. On 6 January 2007 at Surry Hills, while armed with an offensive weapon, he assaulted Elie Stanbouli with intent to take a motor vehicle and took the motor vehicle without Mr Stanbouli's consent. 3. On 20 January 2007 at Redfern he shot at Constable Justin Knight with intent to murder him. 4. On 4 February 2007 at Canley Vale he murdered Raymond James Brown. 5. On 8 February 2007 at Cabramatta, while armed with an offensive weapon, he robbed Judith Anderson of certain property. 2The facts of the five offences may be summarised as follows.