Parry v The Queen

Case [2003] WASCA 222


PARRY -v- THE QUEEN [2003] WASCA 222



SUPREME COURT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIACitation No:[2003] WASCA 222
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEAL
Case No:CCA:64/20022 MAY, 3 JUNE & 11 SEPTEMBER 2003
Coram:MALCOLM CJ
ANDERSON J
MCKECHNIE J
18/09/03
23Judgment Part:1 of 1
Result: Application for leave to appeal against sentence granted
Appeal dismissed
B
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Parties: JOHN PARRY
THE QUEEN

Catchwords:

Criminal law
Sentencing
Drug importation
Heroin
224.4 grams pure
Trafficable quantity
Sentence of 10 years with non-parole period of 5 years and 6 months affirmed
Parity
Weight to be given to personal circumstances
Health considerations
Hepatitis C
Fresh evidence as to effect of incarceration
Admissibility
Principles

Legislation:

Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 16(2)(p)
Criminal Procedure Rules 2000, Sch 1, Sch 7
Customs Act 1901 (Cth), s 233B(1)(d)
Pharmaceutical Benefits Act

Case References:

Anderson v The Queen (1997) 92 A Crim R 348
Grimwood v The Queen [2002] WASCA 135
Heryadi v The Queen (1998) 19 WAR 383
Li v The Queen [2000] WASCA 340
Ngyuen v The Queen [2001] WASCA 119
Postiglione v The Queen (1997) 189 CLR 295
Quach v The Queen [1999] WASCA 210
R v Anderson (1997) 92 A Crim R 348
R v Bailey (1988) 34 A Crim R 154
R v Bellissimo (1996) 84 A Crim R 465
R v Darwell (1997) 94 A Crim R 35
R v Eliasen (1991) 53 A Crim R 391
R v O’Shea (1982) 8 A Crim R 219
R v Peel (1971) 1 NSWLR 247
R v Smith (1987) 44 SASR 587
R v Thom (2001) 126 A Crim R 196
R v W (2002) 129 A Crim R 400
R v WEF [1998] 2 VR 385
Soh v The Queen [2003] WASCA 29
X v The Queen [2000] WASCA 355

Cameron v The Queen (2002) 187 ALR 65
Ferrua (1919) 14 Cr App R 39
Gronow v Gronow (1979) 144 CLR 513
Linou v Haynes (1988) 47 SASR 172
Lowndes v The Queen 195 CLR 665
R v Baldwin [2001] NSWCCA 320
R v Benham (2000) 111 A Crim R 302
R v Boxtel (1994) 2 VR 98
R v Clarke (1996) 2 VR 520
R v Dorning (1981) SASR 481
R v Dowe, unreported; NSWCCA; BC9505319; 1 September 1995
R v Geoghegan [2000] NSWCCA 93
R v Henry (1999) 106 A Crim R 149
R v Kogelbauer (1992) 65 A Crim R 357
R v Maarbani [2001] NSWCCA 509
R v MacGowan (1986) 42 SASR 580
R v McCourt (1993) 69 A Crim R 151
R v McDonald (1988) 38 A Crim R 470
R v Mitchell (2000) 112 A Crim R 315
R v Morgan (1996) 87 A Crim R 104
R v Oancea (1990) 51 A Crim R 141
R v Olbrich (1999) 166 ALR 330
R v Peuna, unreported; NSWCCA; BC9203094; 23 July 1992
R v Santamaria [2001] SASC 391
R v Sellen (1991) 57 A Crim R 313

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Parry v The Queen [2003] WASCA 222
Case
[2003] WASCA 222
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the High Court of Australia, the case of Parry v The Queen involved a defendant convicted of importing a substantial quantity of heroin, specifically 224.4 grams of pure heroin. The primary issue before the court was the appropriateness of the sentence imposed, which was 10 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 5 years and 6 months. The defendant argued that the sentence was excessive and that the sentencing court had not given sufficient consideration to his personal circumstances and health conditions, including his diagnosis of Hepatitis C. The court also considered the admissibility of fresh evidence presented by the defendant regarding the impact of incarceration on his health.

The High Court examined the principles of sentencing in criminal cases, particularly focusing on the need for parity in sentencing and the weight to be given to personal circumstances. The court assessed whether the trial judge had appropriately balanced the gravity of the offence with the defendant's personal factors. Additionally, the court reviewed the admissibility of fresh evidence provided by the defendant, which highlighted the detrimental effects of incarceration on his health. The court had to determine if this evidence warranted a re-evaluation of the sentence.

In its decision, the High Court affirmed the sentence imposed by the lower court. The court found that the trial judge had adequately considered the defendant's personal circumstances, including his health conditions, in determining the sentence. The court also held that the fresh evidence, while relevant, did not alter the overall assessment of the appropriate sentence. The principles of parity and the gravity of the offence were deemed to have been appropriately balanced by the original sentencing judge. The application for leave to appeal against the sentence was granted, but the appeal was ultimately dismissed.

Orders

Orders of the court

Application for leave to appeal against sentence granted

Appeal dismissed

Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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