R v Blanks [2016] NSWSC 707

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Blanks [2016] NSWSC 707 Hearing dates: 28 April 2016 Decision date: 02 June 2016 Jurisdiction: Common Law - Criminal Before: Hall J Decision: (1) A limiting term of 5 years is nominated to date from 1 April 2016. (2) Pursuant to s 24 of the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990, the defendant is referred to the Mental Health Review Tribunal. (3) The defendant is to be held in custody in an appropriate institution until further assessment by the Tribunal. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – imposition of limiting term – found guilty on the limited available evidence – chronic alcohol/drug disorder – impact of the disorder on cognitive processes – relevant to the assessment of moral culpability – refer to Mental Health Review Tribunal Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Crimes Act 1900 Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990 Cases Cited: Agha v R [2008] NSWCCA 153 Bugmy v R (2013) 249 CLR 571 Courtney v R (2007) 172 A Crim R 371 R v AN [2005] NSWCCA 239 R v Blacklidge (NSWCCA, 12 December 1995, unreported) R v Blanks [2016] NSWSC 361 R v Engert (1995) 84 A Crim R 67 R v Fernando (1992) 76 A Crim R 58 R v Green [1999] NSWCCA 97 R v Henry (1999) 46 NSWLR 346 R v Mitchell [1999] NSWCCA 120 R v Quealey [2011] NSWSC 42 R v Qutami [2001] NSWCCA 353 Veen v R (No 2) (1988) 164 CLR 465 Category: Sentence Parties: Regina (Crown) Judith Thelma Blanks Representation: Counsel: M Hobart SC (Crown) C Loukas SC (Ms Blanks)