Stanford v R [2018] NSWCCA 249

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Stanford v R [2018] NSWCCA 249 Hearing dates: 12 October 2018 Decision date: 07 November 2018 Before: Simpson AJA at [1] Walton J at [69] Wilson J at [70] Decision: 1. Leave to appeal against conviction granted. 2. Appeal allowed. 3. Verdicts of guilty set aside. 4. Verdicts of not guilty entered. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – appeal – indictment containing multiple counts of sexual offences with respect to one complainant – verdicts of guilty on two counts and acquittal on third count – whether verdicts unreasonable – significance of acquittals when considering unreasonableness of guilty verdicts – whether rational basis existed for the difference in the verdicts returned

CRIMINAL LAW – appeal – indictment containing multiple counts of sexual offences with respect to one complainant – verdicts of guilty on two counts and acquittal on third count – whether verdicts unreasonable – significance of jury's rejection of complainant's evidence on one count on the assessment of reliability in respect of other counts – whether it was open to the jury to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused was guilty Legislation Cited: Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), s 5(1)(b) Evidence Act 1995, s165 Criminal Procedure Act 1986 Cases Cited: Jones v The Queen (1997) 191 CLR 439 M v The Queen (1994) 181 CLR 487 MacKenzie v The Queen (1996) 190 CLR 348; [1996] HCA 35 MFA v The Queen (2002) 213 CLR 606; [2002] HCA 53 MG v R [2017] NSWCCA 14 Morris v The Queen (1987) 163 CLR 454; [1987] HCA 50, R v Baden-Clay (2016) 258 CLR 38; [2016] HCA 35 R v Kneebone (1999) 47 NSWLR 450; [1999] NSWCCA 279. R v Markuleski (2001) 52 NSWLR 82; [2001] NSWCCA 290 SKA v R [2009] NSWCCA 186 SKA v The Queen (2011) 243 CLR 400; [2011] HCA 13 Whitehorn v The Queen (1983) 152 CLR 657 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Ronald Kevin Stanford (Appellant) The Crown Representation: Counsel: K H Averre (Appellant) B Hatfield (Crown)