Walker v R [2016] NSWCCA 213

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Walker v R [2016] NSWCCA 213 Hearing dates: 26 September 2016 Decision date: 05 October 2016 Before: Gleeson JA at [1]; Harrison J at [67]; Campbell J at [68] Decision: 1 Grant leave to appeal against sentence. 2 Appeal dismissed. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – appeal against sentence – Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) s 5 – whether imprisonment only appropriate penalty – where applicant entered guilty plea in 2004 to charge of maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm – s 35(b) Crimes Act 1900 – maximum penalty 7 years imprisonment – unprovoked punch to victim requiring jaw reconstruction – where applicant failed to appear on sentence and warrant issued – where applicant apprehended by chance in 2015 and sentenced to 2 years imprisonment with 12 month non-parole period – whether primary judge considered alternatives to full-time custodial sentence – where finding by primary judge that full-time custodial sentence only appropriate option – whether primary judge considered applicant's rehabilitation during delay in sentencing – distinction between delay arising from circumstances outside offender's control and delay caused by offender – whether full-time custodial sentence manifestly excessive or unjust – objective seriousness of offence Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) s 35 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) s 5 Cases Cited: Dinsdale v The Queen [2000] HCA 54; 202 CLR 321 Douar v R [2005] NSWCCA 455 Fedele v R [2015] NSWCCA 286 Hili v The Queen (2010) 242 CLR 520; [2010] HCA 45 House v The King [1936] HCA 40; 55 CLR 499 Lambert v R [2015] NSWCCA 22 Lowndes v The Queen (1999) 195 CLR 665; [1999] HCA 29 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357; [2005] HCA 25 Papworth v R [2011] NSWCCA 253 R v Foster (2001) 33 MVR 565; [2001] NSWCCA 215 R v JCE (2000)] 120 A Crim R 18; NSWCCA 498 R v Morgan (1993) 70 A Crim R 368 R v Pogson; R v Lapham; R v Martin (2012) 82 NSWLR 60; [2012] NSWCCA 225 R v Reeves [2002] NSWCCA 33 R v Shore (1992) 66 A Crim R 37 R v Todd (1982) 2 NSWLR 517 R v Wegener [1999] NSWCCA 405 R v Zamagias [2002] NSWCCA 17 Wong v The Queen (2001) 207 CLR 584; [2001] HCA 64 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Gary Todd Walker (Applicant) Regina (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: G Wendler (Applicant) N Williams (Respondent)