Valsamakis v R [2016] NSWCCA 156

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Valsamakis v R [2016] NSWCCA 156 Hearing dates: 1 March 2016 Date of orders: 04 August 2016 Decision date: 04 August 2016 Before: Bathurst CJ at [1]; Hall J at [2]; R A Hulme J at [203] Decision: (1) Leave to appeal against sentence granted (2) Appeal dismissed Catchwords: SENTENCE – Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border controlled precursor (ss 11.5(1) with 307.11(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth)) – rolled-up offence involving five importations – applicant a customs officer and as such had responsibilities in detection and prevention of alleged cross-border activity – bribery of a Commonwealth Public Official (s 141.1(3) of the Criminal Code (Cth)) – Official Abuse Office to Gain Advantage (s 142.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth)) – parity – differential charging of co-offenders – hierarchy of offenders within charged conspiracy offences – no marked disparity in respect of sentences imposed – whether discount on sentence allowed for co-operation with law enforcement authorities – assessment in sentencing for nature and ongoing severity of imprisonment – protective custody – objective seriousness – sentences imposed not manifestly excessive Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) Criminal Code 1995 (Cth) Cases Cited: England v R; Phanith [2009] NSWCCA 274 FS v R [2009] NSWCCA 301; 198 A Crim R 383 Green v R; Quinn v R [2011] HCA 49; 244 CLR 462 Haouchar v R [2014] NSWCCA 227 Jimmy v R [2010] NSWCCA 60; NSWLR 540 Khoury v R [2011] NSWCCA 118; 209 A Crim R 509 Lewins v R [2007] NSWCCA 189; 175 A Crim R 40 Markarian v R [2005] HCA 25; 228 CLR 357 Postiglione v The Queen [1997] 189 CLR 295 R v Chandler; Chandler v R [2012] NSWCCA 135 R v Henderson [2014] QCA 12 R v Joseph Sukkar [2006] NSWCCA 92; 172 A Crim R 151 R v Lamella [2014] NSWCCA 122 SL v R [2015] NSWCCA 30 SZ v R [2007] NSWCCA 19; 168 A Crim R 249 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Paul Apostolos Valsamakis (Applicant) Regina (Crown) Representation: Counsel: M Ramage QC (Applicant) L Crowley (Crown)