Director of Public Prosecutions v Darcy-Shillingsworth [2017] NSWCCA 224

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Director of Public Prosecutions v Darcy-Shillingsworth [2017] NSWCCA 224 Hearing dates: 11 September 2017 Decision date: 13 September 2017 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Beech-Jones J at [99]; Fagan J at [104] Decision: (1) Allow the appeal by the Director pursuant to the Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), s 5D.

(2) Set aside the sentences imposed in the District Court on 26 May 2017 and 28 July 2017.

(3) Resentence the respondent as follows:

(a) in relation to counts 1, 3 and 4, impose an aggregate sentence comprising a non-parole period of 15 months deemed to have commenced on 26 May 2017, with a balance of term of 15 months giving a sentence of 2 years 6 months;

(b) direct that the respondent be released on parole on 25 August 2018. Catchwords: CRIME – sentencing – aggregate sentence – whether aggregate sentence can be suspended – whether necessary to determine – Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), s 12

CRIME – sentencing – whether suspended sentence "contrary to law" – effect of reopening sentence if not contrary to law – whether necessary to determine – Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), s 43

CRIME – sentencing – prosecution appeal against inadequate sentences – suspended sentences of imprisonment in relation to three offences involving domestic violence – whether objective seriousness of offending recognized – importance of specific and general deterrence – weight to be given to standard non-parole periods – whether non-custodial sentence manifestly inadequate – residual discretion to intervene Legislation Cited: Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001 (NSW), s 68A Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), ss 12, 21A, 24, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 53, 53A, 54A, 99, Pt 2, Div 3; Pt 3; Pt 4, Div 1 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Amendment (Standard Minimum Sentencing) Act 2002 (NSW), Sch 1[4] Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Amendment (Standard Minimum Sentencing) Act 2002 (NSW), Sch 3.2 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Amendment Act 2010 (NSW), Sch 2[14] Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), ss 33, 33B, 35, 59, 86 Crimes and Courts Legislation Amendment Act 2006 (NSW), Sch 1.9 Crimes and Courts Legislation Amendment Act 2006 (NSW), Sch 1.9[2] Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), s 5D Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), s 166 Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW), s 35 Cases Cited: Aubrey v The Queen [2017] HCA 18 Bugmy v The Queen (2013) 249 CLR 571; [2013] HCA 37 Burnard v The Queen [2009] NSWCCA 5; 193 A Crim R 23 Cherry v R [2017] NSWCCA 150 Drew v R [2016] NSWCCA 310 McCullough v R [2009] NSWCCA 94; 194 A Crim R 439 Munda v Western Australia (2013) 249 CLR 600; [2013] HCA 38 Pattalis v R [2013] NSWCCA 171 Pearce v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 610; [1998] HCA 57 R v Coleman (1990) 19 NSWLR 467 R v Dungay [2012] NSWCCA 197 R v Egan [2013] NSWCCA 196 R v Mitchell [2007] NSWCCA 296; 177 A Crim R 94 Regina v RM [2015] NSWCCA 4 The Queen v Kilic [2016] HCA 48; 91 ALJR 131 Texts Cited: Parliamentary Debates, Legislative Assembly, Hansard, 27 October 2006 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Director of Public Prosecutions (Applicant) Guy Allan Darcy-Shillingsworth (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: B K Baker (Applicant) R Wilson/A Ahmad (Respondent)