Biddle v R [2017] NSWCCA 128

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Biddle v R [2017] NSWCCA 128 Hearing dates: 17 May 2017 Date of orders: 14 June 2017 Decision date: 14 June 2017 Before: Hoeben CJ at CL at [1] Rothman J at [114] Price J at [126] Decision: (1) Grant an extension of time for the bringing of the application for leave to appeal against sentence. (2) Grant leave to appeal against sentence. (3) Dismiss the appeal. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – sentence appeal – murder – estranged husband beat wife to death with a metal bar – sentence of imprisonment for 27 years with non-parole period of 18 years – whether sentencing judge correctly considered objective seriousness – whether applicant's mental impairment and intellectual functioning adequately considered – whether factual findings as to causal connection between offending and mental condition open to sentencing judge – whether actions of offender facilitated the administration of justice – whether sentence manifestly excessive – no error identified – appeal dismissed. Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) – ss 3A, 21A, 22A Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW) – s 5(1)(c) Cases Cited: AB v R [2014] NSWCCA 339 Alkanaan v Regina [2017] NSWCCA 56 Aslan v R [2014] NSWCCA 114 Cowan v R [2015] NSWCCA 118 Devaney v R [2012] NSWCCA 285 Elturk v R [2014] NSWCCA 61 Goodridge v R [2014] NSWCCA 37 House v R (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 Kentwell v The Queen [2014] HCA 37; 252 CLR 601 Martin v R [2015] NSWCCA 6 McLaren v Regina [2012] NSWCCA 284 Muldrock v The Queen [2011] HCA 39; 244 CLR 120 Mulvihill v R [2016] NSWCCA 259 Munda v State of Western Australia [2013] HCA 38; 249 CLR 600 R v Archer [2015] NSWSC 1487 R v Biddle [2011] NSWSC 1262 R v O'Donohue (1988) 34 A Crim R 397 The Queen v Kilic [2016] HCA 48; 91 ALJR 131 Turnbull v Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage [2015] NSWCCA 278 Vaiusu v R [2017] NSWCCA 71 Veen v R (No 2) (1988) 164 CLR 465; [1988] HCA 14 Williams v R [2012] NSWCCA 286 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Clenton Ronald Biddle – Applicant Regina – Respondent Crown Representation: Counsel: I Bourke SC – Applicant M Cinque SC – Respondent Crown