Ellis v R [2015] NSWCCA 262

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Ellis v R [2015] NSWCCA 262 Hearing dates: 13 August 2015 Date of orders: 25 September 2015 Decision date: 25 September 2015 Before: Bathurst CJ; R A Hulme J; Garling J Decision: 1. Extend the time for lodging an application for leave to appeal up to and including 15 May 2015. 2. Grant the applicant leave to appeal. 3. Allow the appeal and quash the sentence imposed on the applicant by the District Court on 3 July 2012. 4. Remit the matter to the District Court for resentencing of the applicant by a Court differently constituted. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – appeal – conduct of judge – sentencing – procedural fairness - questioning by judge – whether questioning of witness by judge led to a miscarriage of justice Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW) Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW) Cases Cited: Chow v Director of Public Prosecutions (1992) 28 NSWLR 593 Galea v Galea (1990) 19 NSWLR 263 Jones v National Coal Board (1957) 2 QB 55 Kentwell v The Queen [2014] HCA 37; 252 CLR 601 Pham v R [2010] NSWCCA 208 O'Neil-Shaw v The Queen [2010] NSWCCA 42 R v Baleisuva [2004] NSWCCA 344 R v Capaldo [2015] SASCFC 56 R v T, WA [2014] SASCFC 3; (2013) 118 SASR 382 R v Vachalec (1981) 1 NSWLR 351 Ratten v The Queen [1974] HCA 35; 131 CLR 510 Yuill v Yuill [1945] P 15 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Blake Geoffrey Ellis (Applicant) Regina (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: S Buchen (Applicant) M Cinque (Respondent)