R v Yardley [2019] NSWCCA 291

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: R v Yardley [2019] NSWCCA 291 Hearing dates: 11 November 2019 Date of orders: 20 December 2019 Decision date: 20 December 2019 Before: Meagher JA at [1] Bellew J at [2] Lonergan J at [90] Decision: (1) The Crown appeal is allowed. (2) The sentence imposed by Acting Judge Conlon SC in the District Court of New South Wales is quashed. (3) In lieu thereof, the respondent is sentenced to a non-parole period of 4 years and 9 months imprisonment commencing on 19 July 2019 and expiring on 18 April 2024. (4) An additional term of 1 year and 7 months imprisonment is imposed commencing on 19 April 2024 and expiring on 18 November 2025. Catchwords: CRIME – appeals – appeal against sentence – by Crown on ground of manifest inadequacy – manslaughter – respondent received a non-parole period of 18 months with an additional term of 2 years – sentencing judge made finding of special circumstances – sentencing judge described offence as "falling below mid-range" and "towards lower end of range" – finding of objective seriousness did not reflect characteristics of offending – finding of special circumstances not justified – non-parole period did not reflect seriousness of offending – respondent re-sentenced Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW) Cases Cited: Attorney General for NSW v McMahon Mining Services Pty Limited [2019] NSWCCA 8 Butters v R [2010] NSWCCA 1 CMB v Attorney-General for NSW (2015) 256 CLR 346; [2015] HCA 9 Collier v R [2012] NSWCCA 213 Dinsdale v The Queen (2000) 202 CLR 321; [2000] HCA 54 DPP v Darcy-Shillingsworth [2017] NSWCCA 244 Hili v The Queen; Jones v The Queen (2010) 242 CLR 520; [2010] HCA 45 Hiron v R [2007] NSWCCA 336 Jonson v R [2016] NSWCCA 286; (2016) 263 A Crim R 268 Maglis v R [2010] NSWCCA 247 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357; [2005] HCA 25 Merrick v R [2017] NSWCCA 264 Pfitzner v R [2010] NSWCCA 314 R v Barker [2016] NSWCCA 193 R v Blacklidge (Court of Criminal Appeal (NSW), 12 December 1995, unrep) R v Bryce (No 5) [2014] NSWSC 1184 R v DH; R v AH [2014] NSWCCA 326 R v Fidow [2004] NSWCCA 172 R v Forbes [2005] NSWCCA 377; (2005) 160 A Crim R 1 R v GWM [2012] NSWCCA 240 R v Munter [2009] NSWSC 158 R v Phelps; R v Zalapa [2018] NSWCCA 191 R v Pullen [2018] NSWCCA 264 R v Tuuta [2014] NSWCCA 40; (2014) 239 A Crim R 399 R v West [2011] NSWCCA 91 Simpson v R [2019] NSWCCA 137 Stephenson v R [2008] NSWCCA 266 Tepania v R [2018] NSWCCA 247 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Regina – Appellant David Alan Yardley – Respondent Representation: Counsel: B Hatfield – Appellant S Howell – Respondent