Larsen v The Queen

The appellant was convicted of arranging to engage in sexual activity with two children under the age of 16, possessing child pornography, and transmitting the same. The High Court was asked to consider whether the total effective sentence of 7 years 9 months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 4 years 6 months, was manifestly excessive. The appellant argued that the maximum penalties for the child pornography offences were incorrectly cited by the sentencing judge and that a different sentence should be imposed for each offence.

The court noted that while the maximum penalties for the child pornography offences were incorrectly referenced, this did not impact the overall sentence as the maximum penalty for all offences combined was correctly applied. The court found that the sentence was not manifestly excessive and that the trial judge had considered all relevant factors. The court further determined that separate sentences for each offence were not warranted as the offences were part of a single course of conduct.

The appeal was dismissed as there was no point of principle involved and the sentence was deemed to be appropriate. The court held that the trial judge's approach was correct and that the sentence imposed was not manifestly excessive. The appellant's appeal was rejected, and the original sentence was upheld.