R v RB; Attorney-General (NSW) as Intervenor [2019] NSWDC 368

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v RB; Attorney-General (NSW) as Intervenor [2019] NSWDC 368 Hearing dates: 17-19 June 2019 Date of orders: 02 August 2019 Decision date: 02 August 2019 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Grant DCJ Decision: 1. The evidence is relevant, probative of a fact in issue and admissible. 2. The evidence discloses a tendency on the part of the complainant - that is to make false sexual allegations. The tendency is significantly probative and is admissible. 3. The exclusionary rule of s 293 operates and catches the evidence. 4. The evidence does not qualify as an exception to the exclusionary rule under s 293(4). 5. s 293 of the Criminal Procedure Act is valid. 6. I decline to permanently stay the proceedings. Catchwords: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE — Sexual offence proceedings — Admissibility of evidence related to lack of sexual experience — Admissibility of evidence related to false complaints — Exceptions to exclusion in s 293 Criminal Procedure Act CONSTITUTIONAL LAW — Validity of s 293 Criminal Procedure Act CRIMINAL PROCEDURE — Stay of proceedings — Inherent power to prevent abuse of process Legislation Cited: Criminal Procedure Act 1986 Evidence Act 1995 Interpretation Act 1987 Judiciary Act 1903 Cases Cited: Adams v R [2018] NSWCCA 303 Allan v R [2017] NSWCCA 6 Assistant Commissioner Condon v Pompano Pty Ltd (2013) 252 CLR 38 Decision Restricted [2019] NSWCCA 30 Dimian v R (1995) 83 A Crim R 358 GEH v R [2012] NSWCCA 150 Graham v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2017) 91 ALJR 890 Gypsy Jokers Motorcycle Club Incorporated v Commissioner of Police (2008) 234 CLR 532 Hughes v R [2017] HCA 20 JWM v R [2014] NSWCCA 248 K S v Veitch (No 2) (2012) 84 NSWLR 174 Knight v New South Wales (2017) 91 ALJR 824 M v R (1993) 67 A Crim R 549 Nicholas v The Queen (1998) 193 CLR 173 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 R v Bernthaler (NSWCCA unreported 17 December 1993) R v Burton [2013] NSWCCA 335 R v Ford [2009] NSWCCA 306 R v Funderburk (1990) 1 WLR 587 R v Morgan (1993) 30 NSWLR 543 R v PJE (Court of Criminal Appeal unreported 9 October 1995) R v Rahame [2004] NSWCCA 233 R v White (1989) 18 NSWLR 332 Taleb v R [2015] NSWCCA 105 Texts Cited: Hansard, No 47 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Regina (Crown) Attorney-General (NSW) (Intervenor) RB (Accused) Representation: Counsel: M Kumar (Crown) K Pham (Attorney-General NSW) F Graham (Accused)