Michael v R [2014] NSWCCA 2

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Michael v R [2014] NSWCCA 2 Hearing dates: 26/11/2013 Decision date: 05 February 2014 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Hoeben CJ at CL at [1] Blanch J at [171] Price J at [172 ] Decision: (1) Leave to appeal against conviction and sentence be granted but that the appeal be dismissed. (2) The applicant's bail be revoked forthwith. (3) The applicant be returned to custody on 5 February 2014 so that his non-parole period of imprisonment will expire on 30 January 2015 and the balance of his term will expire on 29 January 2016. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - CONVICTION APPEAL - doing an act intending to pervert the course of justice contrary to s319 Crimes Act 1900 - law clerk advising witness to lie to police - whether verdict was unreasonable - detailed analysis of evidence necessary - conceded inconsistencies in Crown case - whether necessary intent established by evidence - whether open to jury to be satisfied of guilt beyond reasonable doubt - not sufficient to identify material tending against guilt of accused - inconsistencies in evidence did not undermine Crown case - advantage of jury in assessing witnesses - conviction appeal dismissed - SENTENCE APPEAL - incorrect factual finding by sentencing judge - whether any potential effect on sentence - whether extra curial punishment taken into account - assessment of objective seriousness - whether sentence of fulltime imprisonment the only appropriate sentence - whether sentence manifestly excessive - appeal dismissed. Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) - s319 Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW) - s6(1) Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (NSW) Cases Cited: Baxter v Regina [2007] NSWCCA 237; 173 A Crim R 284 BCM v The Queen [2013] HCA 48 Carroll v The Queen [2009] HCA 13; 83 ALJR 579 Col v R [2013] NSWCCA 302 Einfeld v R [2010] NSWCCA 87; 200 A Crim R 1 Hardie v Regina; Phillipsen v Regina [2012] NSWCCA 6 House v The King [1936] HCA 40; 55 CLR 499 Libke v R [2007] HCA 30; 230 CLR 559 M v R [1994] HCA 63; 181 CLR 487 MFA v The Queen [2002] HCA 53; 213 CLR 606 Makarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; 228 CLR 357 at 370-371 Nguyen v R [2004] NSWCCA 332; 149 A Crim R 343 Oudomvilay v Regina [2006] NSWCCA 275 R v Marinellis [2001] NSWCCA 328 Marracos v R [2008] NSWCCA 267 R v Mercael [2010] NSWCCA 36 R v Mulato [2006] NSWCCA 282 R v Pangallo [1991] 56 A Crim R 441 SKA v The Queen [2011] HCA 13; 243 CLR 400 Zamagias v R [2002] NSWCCA 17 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Fabian Michael - Applicant Regina - Respondent Crown Representation: Counsel: T Game SC/D Barrow - Applicant S Dowling SC - Respondent Crown Solicitors: Senses Legal - Applicant S Kavanagh, Solicitor for Public Prosecutions - Respondent Crown File Number(s): 2011/332412 Decision under appeal Before: Payne DCJ File Number(s): 2011/332412