Harkins v R [2015] NSWCCA 263

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Harkins v R [2015] NSWCCA 263 Hearing dates: 19 August 2015 Decision date: 29 September 2015 Before: Macfarlan JA at [1], R A Hulme J at [48], Wilson J at [49] Decision: (1) Refuse leave to appeal in respect of Ground One. (2) Dismiss the appellant's application for leave to appeal and appeal. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – appeal – conviction – appellant drove car whilst held by police officers in attempt to evade apprehension – officers standing outside car – no intention to harm officers – whether use of car as an offensive instrument with intent to prevent or hinder lawful apprehension under Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) s 33B(1)(a)

CRIMINAL LAW – appeal – conviction – whether intoxication relevant to issue of whether appellant intended to use vehicle as offensive instrument for the purposes of Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) s 33B(1)(a) – offence of specific intent – consideration of Crimes Act Part 11A, including s 428C Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), ss 4, 33B, 154C, Part 11A, 428A, 428B, 428C, 428D, 428E, 428G, 428H Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), s 6 Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW), s 34 Cases Cited: Barker v The Queen [1983] HCA 18; 153 CLR 338 Filippou v The Queen [2015] HCA 29 R v Hamilton [1993] 66 A Crim R 575 He Kaw Teh v The Queen [1985] HCA 43; 157 CLR 523 Regina v Majewski [1977] AC 443 R v Grant [2002] NSWCCA 243; 55 NSWLR 80 R v Falconer [1990] HCA 49; 171 CLR 30 R v Lavender [2005] HCA 37; 222 CLR 67 R v O'Connor [1980] HCA 17; 146 CLR 64 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Aaron Harkins (Appellant) Regina (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: J Stratton SC (Appellant) S Boland (Appellant) E Balodis (Respondent)