Peiris v R [2014] NSWCCA 58

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Peiris v R [2014] NSWCCA 58 Hearing dates: 10/03/2014; last written submissions 31/03/2014 Decision date: 17 April 2014 Before: Leeming JA at [1]; Button J at [103]; RS Hulme AJ at [104] Decision: (1) Appeal against conviction dismissed. (2) Grant leave to appeal against sentence, and allow the appeal. (3) Quash the sentences imposed on the appellant by Knox DCJ on 10 December 2013. (4) Sentence the appellant on Count 3 to imprisonment for a term of 8 months. (5) Suspend execution of the sentence referred to in order (4) for 8 months. (6) Direct that the appellant be released from custody in respect of that sentence on condition that he enters into a good behaviour bond for 8 months. (7) Sentence the appellant on Count 1 to imprisonment for a term of 14 months. (8) Suspend execution of the sentence referred to in order (7) for 14 months. (9) Direct that the appellant be released from custody in respect of that sentence on condition that he enters into a good behaviour bond for 14 months. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - appeal from conviction - sexual assault - Crown case turned on testimonial evidence of complainant, which was denied by accused - jury convicted on 2 of 3 counts - whether verdicts inconsistent

CRIMINAL LAW - appeal against sentence - whether error in not taking into account assistance to authorities - no error where no evidence as to value of assistance - whether error in finding of "breach of trust" as aggravating factor - consideration of Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), s 21A(2)(k) - whether error in assessing objective seriousness - whether sentence manifestly excessive - where sentencing judge had regard to Local Court sentencing statistics and said custodial sentence imposed was consistent within range - consideration of use of sentencing statistics Legislation Cited: Bail Act 1978 (NSW), s 30AA Crimes Act 1990 (NSW), ss 61J(1), 61M, 578A Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), ss 12, 21A(2)(k), 23, 50 Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), ss 6(3), 18 Cases Cited: Barbaro v The Queen [2014] HCA 2; 88 ALJR 372 Baumgartner v Baumgartner (1987) 164 CLR 137 Bonwick v R [2010] NSWCCA 177 BT v R [2010] NSWCCA 267 DRS v The Queen [2012] VSCA 276 Fisher v R [2008] NSWCCA 129 Flanagan v R [2013] NSWCCA 320 Giles v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) [2009] NSWCCA 308; 198 A Crim R 395 Hili v The Queen [2010] HCA 45; 242 CLR 520 Hughes v R [2008] NSWCCA 48; 185 A Crim R 155 Jones v The Queen (1997) 191 CLR 439 Karl Suleman v R [2009] NSWCCA 70 LB v R [2011] NSWCCA 220 LP v R [2013] NSWCCA 330 M v The Queen (1994) 181 CLR 487 MAH v R; R v MAH [2006] NSWCCA 226 Matthews v R [2013] NSWCCA 187 McKenzie v The Queen (1997) 190 CLR 348 Mitchell v R [2013] NSWCCA 318 Morris v The Queen (1987) 163 CLR 454 R v Bonat [2004] NSWCCA 240 R v Cartwright (1989) 17 NSWLR 243 R v Egan [2013] NSWCCA 196 R v GD [2013] NSWCCA 212 R v JCW [2000] NSWCCA 209; 112 A Crim 466 R v JW [2010] NSWCCA 49; 199 A Crim R 486 R v MAK [2005] NSWCCA 369 R v Markuleski [2001] NSWCCA 290; 52 NSWLR 82 R v NEK [2001] NSWCCA 392 R v Olbrich [1999] HCA 54; 199 CLR 270 R v Palmer [2005] NSWCCA 349 R v Peiris (Supreme Court (NSW), Fullerton J, 17 January 2014, unrep) RJT v R [2012] NSWCCA 280; (2012) 218 A Crim R 490 Smith v R [2011] NSWCCA 163 Vuni v R [2006] NSWCCA 171 Wong v R [2010] NSWCCA 160 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Asela Peiris (Appellant) Regina (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: S Corish / R Rajalingam (Appellant) R Herps (Crown) Solicitors: Purcell Lawyers (Appellant) Solicitor for Public Prosecutions (Crown) File Number(s): 2012/144415 Decision under appeal Jurisdiction: 9101 Date of Decision: 2013-11-20 00:00:00 Before: Knox DCJ File Number(s): 2012/144415