Williamson v R [2015] NSWCCA 250

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Williamson v R [2015] NSWCCA 250 Hearing dates: 19 August 2015 Decision date: 16 September 2015 Before: Macfarlan JA at [1]; R A Hulme J at [2]; Wilson J at [73] Decision: 1. Extension of time to file notice of application for leave to appeal against sentence until 7 May 2015 granted. 2. Leave to appeal granted. 3. Appeal dismissed. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – appeal against sentence – offences of fraud and dishonesty and recruit a person to carry out a criminal activity – whether sentencing judge failed to apply discount for guilty plea – where discount referred to early in remarks and not repeated – mathematical precision not necessary when applying discount – no error – whether judge erred in application of general deterrence given applicant' s mental condition – careful consideration given to mental condition – no error – whether error in failing to quantify discount for assistance to authorities – not mandatory under s 23 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act that court apply discount on account of assistance – no error – appeal dismissed Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) ss 176A, 192H, 351A Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) ss 23, 53A Cases Cited: Akkawi v R; Akkawi v R [2012] NSWCCA 11 Kentwell v The Queen [2014] HCA 37; 252 CLR 601 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; 228 CLR 357 R v Cahill [2015] NSWCCA 53 R v Edwards (1996) 90 A Crim R 510 R v Thomson and Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; 49 NSWLR 383 R v Wright (1997) 93 A Crim R 48 Rios v R [2012] NSWCCA 8 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Michael Alexander Williamson (Applicant) Regina (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr H Dhanji SC (Applicant) Mr E Balodis (Crown)