Elhassan v R [2018] NSWCCA 118

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Elhassan v R [2018] NSWCCA 118 Hearing dates: 13 April 2018 Decision date: 13 June 2018 Before: Simpson AJA at [1]; Fullerton J at [2]; McCallum J at [3] Decision: Sentence imposed by Syme DCJ quashed and, in substitution therefor, applicant sentenced to a term of imprisonment with a non-parole period of six years commencing on 29 October 2016 and a balance of term of three years. Catchwords: CRIME – sentence – where error on the part of the sentencing judge is conceded by the Crown –contention by Crown that "no lesser sentence is warranted in law" – how apt to mislead – obligation of appellate court to exercise its own sentencing discretion independently of the sentence selected at first instance Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), ss 21A(2)(j), 44(2) Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW), s 25(2) Cases Cited: Davis v R [2015] NSWCCA 90 Elsaj v R [2017] NSWCCA 124 Hillier v DPP (NSW) (2009) 198 A Crim R 565; [2009] NSWCCA 312 Kentwell v The Queen (2014) 252 CLR 601; [2014] HCA 37 R v Fidow [2004] NSWCCA 172 R v Jones (Unreported, NSW Court of Criminal Appeal, 30 June 1994) R v Kaliti [2001] NSWCCA 268 R v McNaughton (2006) 66 NSWLR 566; [2006] NSWCCA 242 Smith v R [2011] NSWCCA 163 Trejos v R [2017] NSWCCA 122 Veen v The Queen (No 2) (1988) 164 CLR 465; [1988] HCA 14 Yeung v R [2018] NSWCCA 52 Yousif v R [2014] NSWCCA 180 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Mouraf El Hassan (Appellant) Regina (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: D Barrow (Appellant) H Roberts (Respondent)