R v El-Chami [2016] NSWSC 445

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v El-Chami [2016] NSWSC 445 Hearing dates: 1 April 2016 Date of orders: 19 April 2016 Decision date: 19 April 2016 Jurisdiction: Common Law - Criminal Before: Schmidt J Decision: Convicted under s 316(1) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).

Sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 3 months commencing on 19 April 2016 which is to be suspended, subject to entering into a good behaviour bond for a term of 3 months and providing the assistance promised. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – sentence – conceal serious offence – murder – not guilty to murder – plea of guilty to lesser charge accepted – early plea and assistance – problems in police approach to investigation and Crown's approach to the prosecution regarding CCTV footage – aggravating factors – mitigating factors – deterrence – subjective circumstances – victim impact statement – conviction – suspended sentence Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW) Cases Cited: Power v The Queen [1974] HCA 26; (1974) 131 CLR 623 R v Cartwright (1989) 19 NSWLR 243 R v CQD [2002] NSWSC 732 R v Crofts (Court of Criminal Appeal (NSW), 10 March 1995, unrep) R v Daetz; R v Wilson [2003] NSWCCA 216; (2003) 139 A Crim R 398 R v Dodd (1991) 57 A Crim R 349 R v Newbold [2008] NSWSC 942 R v Olbrich [1999] HCA 54; (1999) CLR 270 R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 SZ v R [2007] NSWCCA 19; (2007) 168 A Crim R 249 R v Scott [2005] NSWCCA 152 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Munda v Western Australia [2013] HCA 38; (2013) 249 CLR 600 Category: Sentence Parties: Regina Mohamed El-Chami Representation: Counsel: Ms E Wilkins SC (Crown) Mr R Sutherland SC (Offender)