R v FT (No 2)

Case

[2020] ACTSC 315

19 November 2020


SUPREME COURT OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Case Title:

R v FT (No 2)

Citation:

[2020] ACTSC 315

Hearing Date(s):

19 November 2020

DecisionDate:

19 November 2020

Before:

Elkaim J

Decision:

See [7]

Catchwords:

CRIMINAL LAW – JURISDICTION, PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Judgment and Punishment – Sentence – breach of good behaviour order – young person

Cases Cited:

R v FT [2020] ACTSC 203
R v FT; R v CU [2020] ACTSC 80

Parties:

The Queen (Crown)

FT (Young Person)

Representation:

Counsel

M Howe (Crown)

T Trotter (Young Person)

Solicitors

ACT Director of Public Prosecutions (Crown)

Legal Aid ACT (Young Person)

File Number:

SCC 13 of 2020

ELKAIM J:

  1. On 14 April this year, I sentenced this young person to imprisonment for nine months (R v FT; R v CU [2020] ACTSC 80), but I suspended the imprisonment on condition that the young person entered a good behaviour order (GBO).

  1. Asserted issues arose, and the young person has been back to court on a number of occasions. In my decision on 28 July 2020 (R v FT [2020] ACTSC 203), I referred to the degeneration of the relationship that had occurred between the young person and CYPS.

  1. FT is before me today for re-sentencing in respect of a breach of the GBO, which she accepts occurred. 

  1. The Crown has put forward some suggestions as to the various options that I have. Mr Trotter on behalf of the young person has effectively suggested a variation, which the Crown does not object to.  It is a little unusual, in that it involves sentencing the young person to a term of imprisonment without continuing orders. The young person has only just turned 16, so one's initial reaction would be against such a proposition. 

  1. However, there are orders about to be made in the ACT Children’s Court to ensure the continuing involvement of CYPS.  I note that the relationship with CYPS has improved substantially with the appointment of a new case manager.  In addition to that, and a matter that I consider significant, Mr Gough on behalf of CYPS endorses the proposal. 

  1. Accordingly, I intend to adopt the course put forward as best reflecting the need to punish the young person for breaching the GBO but at the same time keeping her rehabilitation as a primary objection.

Orders:

  1. I make the following orders:

(a)The current good behaviour order is cancelled. 

(b)The young person is re-sentenced as follows:

(i)She is to be imprisoned for a period of 59 days, commencing on 21 October 2020 and expiring on 18 December 2020. 

I certify that the preceding seven [7] numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Sentence of his Honour Justice Elkaim.

Associate:

Date: 24 November 2020

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Cases Citing This Decision

0

Cases Cited

2

Statutory Material Cited

0

R v Ft; R v Cu [2020] ACTSC 80
R v FT [2020] ACTSC 203