RLS v R [2012] NSWCCA 236

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: RLS v R [2012] NSWCCA 236 Hearing dates: 16 October 2012 Decision date: 15 November 2012 Before: McClellan CJ at CL at [1] Johnson J at [2] Bellew J at [3] Decision: In each case: 1.extend the time in which to file a notice of intention to seek leave to appeal; 2.grant leave to appeal; 3.dismiss the appeal. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - appeal - applicant sentenced for offences of child sexual assault - whether sentencing judge properly applied principles of totality - whether sentencing judge erred in failing to regard earlier offences for which the applicant had served a sentence of imprisonment as forming part of the same course of conduct - whether sentencing judge erred in refusing to find special circumstances - whether sentence manifestly excessive having regard to sentencing practice at the time of the offending - whether court should intervene in circumstances where error established

CRIMINAL LAW - appeal - applicant sentenced for offence of possessing child pornography - error of sentencing judge arising from mistake as to maximum penalty - error of sentencing judge in not fixing a non-parole period - whether court should intervene in circumstances where error established - whether sentence manifestly excessive

CRIMINAL LAW - appeal - application for extension of time in which to file notice of intention to seek leave to appeal - where notice filed substantially out of time - where limited evidence explaining the reasons for delay in filing the notice - principles to be applied in determining whether an extension of time should be granted Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) Crimes Amendment (Child Pornography) Act 2004 (NSW) Crimes Amendment (Sexual Offences) Act (NSW) 2008 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Criminal Appeal Act 1912 Parole of Prisoners Act 1966 Probation and Parole Act 1983 Sentencing Act 1989 Cases Cited: AJB v R [2007] NSWCCA 51 Baxter v R [2007] NSWCCA 237; (2007) 173 A Crim R 284 Clarke v R [2009] NSWCCA 49 Edwards v R [2009] NSWCCA 199 Etchell v R [2010] NSWCCA 262; (2010) 205 A Crim R 138 GG v R (2010) 204 A Crim R 125 GRD v R [2009] NSWCCA 149 Ha v R [2010] NSWCCA 8 Mill v R (1988) 166 CLR 59 Minehan v R [2010] NSWCCA 140; (2010) 201 A Crim R 243 Mottram v Regina [2009] NSWCCA 210 Power v The Queen (1974) 131 CLR 623 R v Beattie [2000] NSWCCA 201 R v Burke (CCA NSW 30 November 1978 unreported) R V Gent (2005) 162 A Crim R 29; [2005] NSWCCA 370 R v Kairouz [2005] NSWCCA 247 R v Lawrence and ors [1980] 1 NSWLR 122 R v Nikolovska [2010] NSWCCA 153 R v Saddler (2009) 194 A Crim R 452; [2009] NSWCCA 83 R v Simpson (2001) 53 NSWLR 704 R v Todd [1982] 2 NSWLR 517 Rosenstrauss v R [2012] NSWCCA 25 Wu v R [2011] NSWCCA 102 Category: Principal judgment Parties: RLS (Applicant) Crown (Respondent) Representation: Ms N Mikhaiel (Applicant) Ms S Dowling (Respondent) Legal Aid New South Wales (Applicant) S Kavanagh,Solicitor for Public Prosecutions (NSW) (Respondent) File Number(s): 2006 - 5981 2007 - 1190 2007 - 16066 Decision under appeal Before: (1) Freeman DCJ (2) Sorby DCJ