R v Meenesh Kumar [2017] NSWDC 64

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Meenesh Kumar [2017] NSWDC 64 Hearing dates: 24 February 2017 and 27 February 2017 Date of orders: 24 March 2017 Decision date: 24 March 2017 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Hatzistergos DCJ Decision: 1. The offender is convicted; 2. The offender is sentenced to a term of 16 months' imprisonment; 3. Pursuant to s 12(1)(a) of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), I suspend execution of the whole of the sentence for 16 months, and 4. Pursuant to s 12(1)(b) of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), I direct that the offender be released on the condition that the offender enters into a good behaviour bond for a period of 16 months. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – drug offence – supply prohibited drug – where offender believed substance to be prohibited drug – where substance was only a cutting agent – deal with property suspected proceeds of crime

SENTENCE – determination based on facts proven beyond reasonable doubt – lower range of objective seriousness – discount for guilty plea – discount for assistance to law enforcement authorities – no previous convictions – prior good character – remorse – low likelihood of reoffending – reasonable prospects of rehabilitation – pre-sentence custody Legislation Cited: Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW) s 25(1) Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) s 193C(1) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) ss 3A, 5(1), 10(1)(b), 12(1), 21A(2), 21A(3), 22, 23(1), 23(2), 24(a) and 32(1) Cases Cited: Attorney General's Application under s 37 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (No 1 of 2002) (2002) 56 NSWLR 146 Cicciarello v R [2009] NSWCCA 272 Muldrock v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 120; [2011] HCA 39 Panetta v R [2016] NSWCCA 85 R v Borkowski (2009) 195 A Crim R 152; [2009] NSWCCA 102 R v Cheikh; R v Hoete [2004] NSWCCA 448 R v Gu [2006] NSWCCA 104 R v Khamas (1989) 108 A Crim R 499; [1999] NSWCCA 436 R v Leroy [1984] 2 NSWLR 441 R v Lo [2003] NSWCCA 313 R v MacDonnell (2002) 128 A Crim R 44; [2002] NSWCCA 34 R v Olbrich (1999) 199 CLR 270; [1999] HCA 54 R v Shi [2004] NSWCCA 135 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; [2000] NSWCCA 309 R v Webb (2004) A Crim R 167; [2004] NSWCCA 330 R v Yaghi (2002) 133 A Crim R 490; [2002] NSWCCA 490 Category: Sentence Parties: Regina (Crown) Mr Meenesh Sathneil Kumar (Offender) Representation: Counsel: Mr G Harrison (Offender)