DH v R [2019] NSWCCA 128

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: DH v R [2019] NSWCCA 128 Hearing dates: 13 May 2019 Date of orders: 14 June 2019 Decision date: 14 June 2019 Before: Leeming JA at [1] Hamill J at [2] N Adams J at [35] Decision: Application for leave to appeal granted. Appeal allowed. Sentence quashed and in lieu thereof: Applicant re-sentenced to an aggregate sentence of 10 years with a non-parole period of 7 ½ years – see paragraph [34]. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – sentencing – child sexual assault – amendment of statute to increase statutory age of victim from 10 and 16 years – sentencing Judge not made aware of amendment – indictment not correctly pleaded – Judge adopts error in indictment – impact on assessment of objective criminality – error established – whether victim vulnerable by virtue of age – all children caught by provision necessarily vulnerable – not an aggravating circumstance – exercising sentencing discretion afresh – applicant re-sentenced Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), s 61M(2) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), ss 21A(2)(l), 44 Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (Cth), s 6(3) Cases Cited: Bao v R [2016] NSWCCA 16 Dinsdale v The Queen (2000) 202 CLR 321; [2000] HCA 54 Glare v R [2015] NSWCCA 194 JM v R [2014] NSWCCA 297 Kentwell v The Queen (2014) 252 CLR 601; [2014] HCA 37 Lowndes v The Queen (1999) 195 CLR 665; [1999] HCA 29 Muldrock v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 120; [2011] HCA 39 PG v R [2017] NSWCCA 179 R v Cahill [2015] NSWCCA 53 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Regina DH Representation: Counsel: K Ratcliffe (Regina) J Paingakulam (Applicant)