Kamna Ramjutton v The Queen

Kamna Ramjutton appealed against her sentence for manslaughter, following a conviction for aiding and abetting the unlawful and dangerous act that resulted in the death of the victim. The case was heard in the Court of Appeal. The appellant was found to have participated in pre-planning the crime, luring the victim to a house, and encouraging the principal offender by her presence. The trial judge sentenced her to eight years and six months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of six years. The appeal centred on whether the judge mischaracterised the appellant's role in the crime, her level of culpability, and whether the sentence was manifestly excessive.

The court considered the nature of the appellant's involvement, including her presence at the planning stage and her role in luring the victim. The appellant argued that she was less blameworthy than the principal offender, but the court found that her participation in pre-planning and encouraging the principal offender demonstrated a high level of complicity. The court held that the judge did not mischaracterise the appellant's role and that the sentence was not manifestly excessive. The court also noted that the appellant did not unequivocally indicate her intention to plead guilty, and thus, the judge was not required to consider any potential mitigation arising from such a plea.

The appeal was dismissed. The court found that the trial judge properly considered the appellant's culpability and the nature of her involvement in the crime. The court held that the sentence was appropriate and did not constitute a manifestly excessive punishment. The appeal was dismissed, and the original sentence stood.