DS v R [2018] NSWCCA 195

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: DS v R [2018] NSWCCA 195 Hearing dates: 27 June 2018 Decision date: 10 September 2018 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Wilson J at [14]; Lonergan J at [119] Decision: (1) Appeal against conviction is upheld. (2) Conviction and sentence are quashed. (3) Matter remitted to the District Court. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – conviction appeal – sexual intercourse without consent – homosexual intercourse with male under 10 years – admissibility of tendency evidence – tendency incidents the subject of acquittals – acquittals based upon failure of Crown to rebut common law presumption of doli incapax – whether tendency evidence left to jury on a basis that controverted acquittals

EVIDENCE – tendency evidence – probative value –prior conduct the subject of acquittals – acquittals based on failure to prove offender capable of criminal intent – whether tendency evidence relevant only to actus reus of further offending – basis on which tendency evidence could be left to jury – tendency to "sexually assault" children – admissibility of recorded admissions to tendency incidents Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), ss 61D, 78H Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 97, 99, 101, 137 Cases Cited: BC v R [2015] NSWCCA 327 Elomar v The Queen [2014] NSWCCA 303; (2014) 316 ALR 206 Gilham v R 178 A Crim R 72; [2012] NSWCCA 131 IMM v The Queen (2016) 257 CLR 300; [2016] HCA 14 MFA v The Queen (2002) 213 CLR 606; [2002] HCA 53 Paul Campbell v R [2018] NSWCCA 87 Regina v Z [2000] 2 AC 483 RP v The Queen (2016) 259 CLR 641; [2016] HCA 53 Saraswati v The Queen (1990-1991) 172 CLR 1; [1991] HCA 21 The Queen v Carroll (2002) 213 CLR 635; [2002] HCA 55 Category: Principal judgment Parties: DS – Appellant Regina - Respondent Representation: Counsel: Mr I. McLachlan – Appellant Mr N. Adams – Crown