Houghton v The State of Western Australia [No 2]

Daniel Houghton appeals against his conviction and sentence. He was convicted of unlawfully detaining LR and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. He was also convicted on five summary charges and sentenced to various fines and a suspended term of imprisonment. He appeals against both the conviction and sentence. The Court was required to determine whether any of the grounds of appeal had a reasonable prospect of succeeding and, if so, whether leave to appeal should be granted. The Court found that none of the grounds of appeal against conviction had a reasonable prospect of succeeding. They included the appellant's claims that the trial judge was biased, that the appellant's legal representation was deficient, and that the appellant's conduct towards police after his arrest was not evidence of the offence. The Court also found that the ground of appeal against sentence, that the sentences were manifestly excessive, had no reasonable prospect of succeeding. The Court refused leave to appeal on each of the grounds and dismissed the appeal against conviction. The Court also refused leave to appeal on the ground of appeal against sentence and dismissed the appeal against sentence.