R v Nash

[2012] VSC 507

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA Not Restricted

AT MELBOURNE

CRIMINAL DIVISION

No S CR 7 of 2012

THE QUEEN

v

BEN ANTHONY NASH

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JUDGE:	ROBSON J
WHERE HELD:	Melbourne
DATE OF HEARING:	20 September 2012
DATE OF SENTENCE:	1 November  2012
CASE MAY BE CITED AS:	R v Nash
MEDIUM NEUTRAL CITATION:	[2012] VSC 507

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CRIMINAL LAW – Sentencing – Intentionally causing serious injury – Kicking and punching a mature-aged woman – Plea of guilty – Offender suffering from impaired mental functioning – Major depressive disorder – R v Verdins enlivened – Causal connection with offending conduct – Disinhibiting effect of alcohol and drugs.

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APPEARANCES:	Counsel	Solicitors
For the Crown	Mr D A Trapnell SC	Department of Public Prosecutions
For the Accused	Ms M Walker (solicitor)	Melinda Walker – Criminal Solicitor

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction............................................................................................................................... 1
My role in sentencing you......................................................................................................... 1
Maximum penalty prescribed for the offences........................................................................... 3
Circumstances of the offences.................................................................................................... 3
Injuries....................................................................................................................................... 6
Arrest and Investigation............................................................................................................ 7
The impact of the offence on any victim of the offence and her personal circumstances........... 7
The Plea on your behalf............................................................................................................ 10
Personal circumstances............................................................................................................ 10
Evidence of Dr Cidoni.............................................................................................................. 12
Dr Ross’s report....................................................................................................................... 15
Plea of guilty............................................................................................................................ 15
Remorse.................................................................................................................................... 17
Your previous character........................................................................................................... 17
Prospects of rehabilitation........................................................................................................ 19
Circumstances of the offence.................................................................................................... 19
Your mental state..................................................................................................................... 20
Moral culpability..................................................................................................................... 23
General deterrence................................................................................................................... 23
Specific deterrence.................................................................................................................... 24
The sentence will weigh more heavily upon you..................................................................... 24
Is there a serious risk of imprisonment having a significant adverse effect on your mental health? 25
The influence of alcohol and drugs.......................................................................................... 25
Current sentencing practice.................................................................................................... 26
Nature and gravity of the offences........................................................................................... 26
Conclusion............................................................................................................................... 27

HIS HONOUR:

Introduction

1. Ben Anthony Nash, you have pleaded guilty to these offences:

(a)Count 1: intentionally causing serious injury contrary to s 16 of the Crimes Act 1958;

(b)Count 2: driving a motor vehicle whilst disqualified contrary to s 30(1) of the Road Safety Act 1986; and

(c)Count 3: using a drug of dependence namely heroin contrary to s 75 of the Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981.

My role in sentencing you

1. It is my duty to sentence you for these offences.  In doing so I must form a conclusion as to the relevant facts relating to the counts to which you have pleaded guilty.[1]  Save for one matter (which I will address later), there has been no objection by you to the Crown summary of the relevant facts relating to the counts to which you have pleaded guilty, and, accordingly, I will adopt the Crown’s description of the relevant facts.  I must also take into account all relevant matters relating to you.

   [1]Cheung v The Queen (2001) 209 CLR 1, [14] (Gleeson CJ and Gummow and Hayne JJ).

1. I shall proceed to do so, mindful of the relevant principles, namely –

(a)that I must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt of any fact which might be relied on in aggravation of the offence for which you have been convicted; and