R v Bretherton [2013] NSWSC 1339

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Bretherton [2013] NSWSC 1339 Decision date: 19 September 2013 Before: Harrison J Decision: Sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 21 years with a non-parole period of 15 years and 9 months commencing on 16 November 2011 expiring on 15 August 2027 with a balance of term of 5 years and 3 months commencing on 16 August 2027 expiring on 15 November 2032. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - sentence - murder - where offender stabbed former partner during domestic dispute - single issue trial -whether offender substantially impaired by an abnormality of mind arising from an underlying condition - Crimes Act 1900 s 23A - where early plea of guilty to manslaughter rejected - where allowance on sentence for abnormality of mind to be made despite jury's rejection of partial defence Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Cases Cited: Cheung v The Queen [2001] HCA 67; (2001) 209 CLR 1 DPP (Cth) v De La Rosa [2010] NSWCCA 194 Markarian v R [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Muldrock v R [2011] HCA 39; (2011) 244 CLR 120 R v Champion (1992) 64 A Crim R 244 R v Cheatham [2002] NSWCCA 360 R v Engert (1995) 84 A Crim R 67 R v Hemsley [2004] NSWCCA 228 R v Isaacs (1997) 41 NSWLR 374 R v Kristi Anne Abrahams [2013] NSWSC 952 R v Scognamiglio (1991) 56 A Crim R 81 R v Toki [2003] NSWCCA 125 Category: Sentence Parties: Regina (Crown) Robert Bretherton (Offender) Representation: Counsel: P Barnett SC (Crown) S Corish with C Feiner (Offender) Solicitors: Director of Public Prosecutions (Crown) Purcell Lawyers (Offender) File Number(s): 2011/367057 Publication restriction: Nil