ALS v R [2015] NSWCCA 70

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: ALS v R [2015] NSWCCA 70 Hearing dates: 15 October 2014 Decision date: 21 April 2015 Before: Macfarlan JA at [1]; Fullerton J at [41]; Bellew J at [120] Decision: (1) Appeal allowed. (2) Quash the appellant's conviction on the charge contained in the indictment against him dated 25 July 2013. (3) Enter a verdict of acquittal on that charge. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – carnal knowledge of a person under 10 years of age – appeal against conviction – appeal allowed – whether verdict was unreasonable or insupportable having regard to the evidence – complainant's evidence uncorroborated – inconsistent evidence – majority decision – conviction quashed and applicant acquitted Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), s 67 Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), s 6 Criminal Appeal Rules (NSW), r 4 Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), s 306B(1) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 38 Cases Cited: ALS v R [2013] NSWCCA 63 Browne v Dunn (1893) 6 R 67 GL v R [2014] NSWCCA 68 Lachlan Wilson v R [2014] NSWCCA 266 Longman v The Queen [1989] HCA 60; 168 CLR 79 M v The Queen [1994] HCA 63; 181 CLR 487 MFA v The Queen [2002] HCA 53; 213 CLR 606 R v Kennedy [2000] NSWCCA 487; 118 A Crim R 34 Sami Kurdi v R [2011] NSWCCA 179 SKA v The Queen [2011] HCA 13; 243 CLR 400 Soames v R [2012] NSWCCA 188 Category: Principal judgment Parties: ALS (Appellant) Regina (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: P M Strickland SC (Appellant) T L Smith (Respondent)