Hawdon v Tasmania

The appellant, Hawdon, appealed against sentences imposed by a judge of the Supreme Court of Tasmania. The sentences were for one count of armed robbery and one count of attempted aggravated armed robbery, arising from a robbery at a bottle shop and an attempted robbery at a newsagency, both committed while disguised and armed with a knife.

The primary legal issue before the Full Court of the Supreme Court of Tasmania was whether the sentences imposed were manifestly excessive or inadequate, thereby justifying interference on appeal. Specifically, the court considered the appropriateness of the combined sentence of seven years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of three and a half years, and a concurrent sentence of four years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of two years.

The Full Court allowed the appeal, finding the original sentences to be excessive. The court reasoned that a single, slightly reduced sentence would be more appropriate given the circumstances. The court set aside the original sentences and, in lieu thereof, imposed a single sentence of five and a half years' imprisonment. This sentence was backdated to 3 February 2020, and the appellant was made eligible for parole after serving half of that term.