R v Beretov [2019] NSWDC 774

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Beretov [2019] NSWDC 774 Hearing dates: 11 November 2019 Decision date: 11 November 2019 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Haesler SC DCJ Decision: The pretext call cannot be admitted in evidence in the trial Catchwords: EVIDENCE - discretion to exclude evidence pursuant to Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 90, 135, 137 – Admissions — Criminal proceedings - admissibility of a clandestine but lawfully recorded telephone conversation – silence in response to accusation - no contradictory response to accusation- failure to assert innocence - whether inference of guilt can be drawn – whether a common sense test should be applied - exclusion of evidence Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 Criminal Procedure Act 1988 Evidence Act 1995 Cases Cited: Bauer v The Queen [2018] HCA 14 Christian v R [2012] NSWCCA 34 EM v The Queen (2007) 233 CLR 67 Festa v The Queen (2001) 208 CLR 593 IMM v The Queen (2016) 257 CLR 300; [2016] HCA 16 Papakosmas v R (1999) 196 CLR 297; [1999] HCA 37 Pfennig v the Queen (1995) 182 CLR 461; [1995] HCA 7 R v Burton [2013] NSWCCA 335 R v Christie [1914] AC 545 R v Freeman, unrep, 18/12/86, NSWCCA R v Rose [2002] NSWCCA 455 R v Ryan [2013] NSWCCA 316 The Queen v Dickman [2017] HCA 24; (2017) 261 HCA 601 Texts Cited: Silence as Evidence. D Heydon, 1 Monash U. L. Rev. 53 (1974) Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Risto Beretov (the accused) Director of Public Prosecutions Representation: Counsel: Mr S Boland (for the accused) Ms A Hughes, Solicitor Advocate for the Director of Public Prosecutions